TIMARU.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 6, 5 February 1903, Page 20

TIMARU.

(From our own correspondent.)

February 2. A meeting of the congregation was held on yesterday a tor the 11 o clock Mass to consider the advisableness ol altering the hours at which Mass is celebrated on .Sundays, the Ue\ Father Tub-man being m the chair Jne present hours are 9 o'clock and 3 1 o'clock. The atter hour was not altered, but it was decided that first Mass be celebrated at 8 a.m. in luture instead of ' r\t chan f? e to commence on Sunday, loth February ,i 'he Parish schools re-opened to-d-ay. In the Brothers School Brother Martin, from Christchurch, succeeds Brother Charles, who has been transferred to Napier.

Much interest has been taken in making Timaru a port of call for the direct steamers, and at a meeting held on Friday last at the Harbor Board offices it was shown that it was feasible and possibly to get the largest steamers to call here pro\Jded the local importers co-operated in accumulating their shipments. The chairman of the Harbor Board explained that the present extension, when completed, would permit of Aessels of the largest draught calling. With present accommodation it is hkely an endeavor will be made to have a monthly ser\ico from home, the steamer calling first at Port Chalmers and then with a lighter draught coming on to Timaru. This will be a great boon to Timaru importers if successfully arranged. How many luue found 'the weather' a friend in need when ideas are barren The weather is also a relief to a correspondent desirous of filling a column, and who having exhausted local topics, falls back uj on :t to supply the complement. It is an ever-ready auxiliary to both speakme- and writing, so that, it is only ; ight tiei c weather should have its re\enge for being over-.ia-jkn^ved and and should make a community feel it is tne all -important sub'ect of the day Such is the position it has gaimd in this district at this particular time, and men who flippantly talked about the weather previously now mention tfle subject with serious consideration. And why ? It holds the fortunes of many in its hands and has the power' .fust now of apportioning to the small and large landowner alike a peaceful or a sleepless pillow Since I wrote last the weather went on an excursion ; started somewhere near Dunechn, \isited Wai mate, dropping hailstones as large as pigeons' eggs, and having evidently exhausted itself for the nonce went out to sea via Makikihi to recoup its energies The farmers of Timaru are to be congratulated, as the storm passed on, and, striking in again on the N'inetv Mile Bench, met inland a howling nor-wester. According to an eye-witness the embrace between both gales was terrific, and resulted in a cyclone which waltzed gaily along in a limited track to Ashburton, spending a tray time as it went, amongst fences, straw stacks, galvanised sheds, chimney stacks 1 , and unstable house roofs, leaving mementoes of its visit as it went along. In Timaru evidences of the storm were noticeable, but only as a sort of skirmishing on the outposts, telling that a battle was raerinf near at hand.

The great summer sale is now in full swing at Messrs A. and T. Inglis, George street, Dunedin, and will continue until Saturday. February 21. Patrons are pro>mised immense bargains in all departments....