LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1687, 14 October 1887, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Members of the Somerset Lodge are reminded of the meeting to be held m the upper room at the Hall this (Friday) evening, At 7.80 p.m. At the inquest on tha bodies of the four children who were drowned m the river on Wednesday evening, the Acting Coroner, Mr John Ollivier, highly praised the action of Mr W. B. Compton and the party who had gone out with him before daylight to recover the bodies of the unfortunate children. Mr Ollivier said that ha had heard of Mr Compton bravely acquitting himself on similar ocoaeions previously, and he deamed it but right to make this recognition of his praiseworthy 1 conduct. The Coroner also addressed Messrs Berks and Tutty, who vrere members of the Bearch party, and expressed his and the jury's appreciation of their meritorious conduot. He asked them to also convey this to those members of the party who were not present. At a meeting of teachers of -the Wesleyan Sunday School, held last night, the following officers for the ensuing year were elected : — Superintendent, Mr G. W. Andrews ; secretary, Mr H. B. Steel ; assistant seoretary, Mr T, Undrill ; librarian, Mr W. G. Murray ; treasurer, Mr Chas. Bay ; canvassers, Mrs R, Alcorn and Mr Edwards. We regret exceodingly to have to ohroniole the death of Mr Thomas Toppin, proprietor of the Boyal Hotel. Mr Toppin was seized with a paralytic Btroke a couple of days ago, and his recovery was dispaired of. He expired Sjbout half-past nine o'olook this morning. There is hardly a man m tho district better known or liked than was the genial host of tho Boyal, and we but echo the sentiments of each member of tm very large cirole of friends when we say that his decease makes a blank that will not be filled up during the present generation. Mr Toppin haß resided m Ashburton during about the last twelve years ; prior to his coming here he ocoupied the post of gaoler at Adding ton. He was connected with several friendly societies, and was a leading m&n m the local Orange Lodge. His kindheartedness and geniality endeared him to all who knew him, and it is not too much to say that the man does not exist who could say an ill word of him whom death bas just removed from among us. A rehearsal of " Tho Trial of John Baleyoorn " took plaoe at the Oddfellows' Hall on Wednesday last, and passed off very satisfactorily. This piece was to have been produced On the 19th inst., but owing to a soene whioh had to be painted for it not being ready it has been decided to postpone it till Nov. 2nd. Tbe next rehearsal takes plaoe on Monday night. Tha aub-committoe appointed at the last Library Committee meeting have arranged for a concert and dance m aid of the Library Fund m the Townhall, South Bakaia, on Friday, Nov. 4th. Besides the looal talent promised several offers of assistance from Christohuroh and Ashburton friends have been accepted, and the programme will be an excellent one. Good music is arranged for the dancing. The oause is a good one, and it is trusted that the support hitherto given m aid of each like objeots will be continued. Further paroulars will be advertised. The total costs of the .wars from 1834 to 1884 was about £221,377,936. The Empress of Japan, accompanied by a retinue of twenty persons, will visit the United States m Ootober. Two old deaf and dumb women appeared m a Melbourne court the other day charged with fighting eaoh other. The first action tried under " The Employers' Liability Act, 1886," m Viotoria was of a singular nature. William Davidson sued bis employers, Wright and Edwards, for £456, damages ia respect of an accident he met with m their workshop on Jan. 4th last. An eye-bolt whioh had been fixed up by the plaintiff himself gave way, and together with » pulley and tackle that were suspended from it fell upon his wrist, incapacitating him for a period from following his ordinary vooaHon. Tbe case was tried m tbe County Court before a jury, and a verdiot was given m the plantifi's favor for £234. The defendants appealed on the ground that the Judge had not direoted the jury to decide whether there had been any contributory negligence, and a mew trial was ordered. Mr Justice A'Beokett considered, after hearing evidence and argu. ments, that the acoident had been caused by the unskilful use of proper materials, and that the plaintiff had brought it upon himself He therefore direoted judgment to be entered up for the defendants, with oosts. Hollowvk'b Fills. — Teachings of Experienoe. — The united testimony of thousands, extending over more than forty years, most strongly recommends these Fh'ls as the best purifers, the mildest aperients, &nd the surest restoratives. They never prove delUßive, or give merely temporary relief, but .attack all ailments of the stomach, lungs, hea-Jt. head, and bowels m the only safe and legitimate way, by depurating the blood, and bo eradicating thoso impurities whioh are the source and constituent of almost evftry disease. Their medicinal efficacy is wondeeful m removing enfeebled constitutions. Their action embraoes all that is desirable m a household medicine. They expel every noxious and effete matter ; and thus the strength is nurtured and the energies itiranlated ■ ,