LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1776, 25 February 1888, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Sootoh minister was taking to table one of hia hoarora, who was a frequent defaulter, and reproaching him as an habitual absentee from public worship. The aooused vindicated himself oa the plea of a dislike to long sermons. " 'Deed, man," said his reverend monitor, a little nettled at tho insinuation thrown out against himaolf, "if yo dinca mind yo niny Jintl yoiHol' wlmur yo'll no bo troubled wi' scrmona cither lang or short 1 " " Wcel, rnny be," retorted John, " but it'll no be for laok of meonisters at ony rate."

Tho regular monthly meeting of the Somerset Lodge, No. 1811, E.G., was held at the Masonio Hall last; night. There was a large attendance of Brethren from Sister Lodges, it being the last; meeting at whioh tho Worßhipful Master, Bro. E. Dimant would preside, he being about to leave tho district. During tho meeting Past-Master Bro. Braddell, on behalf of tho Lodpe, presented to Bro. Dimant an illuminated addross testifying to the esteem of the brothorn and their regret at his departure, accompanying the presentation I by Borne vory kindly and appropriate remarks. Bro. Dimant ropliod stating that m anything he had boon ablo to do for the cause of Masonry and m other matters during his residence m Ashburton ho had been simply discharging what ho felt to bo his duty. Aftor tbo ordinary business of the Lodge had been concluded, a social gathering took place m the uppor room, at which the usual Loyal and Masonio toasts wore given. Valodiotory j speoohea worn delivered by P.M.'a, BrosFolton and Braddell, the W.M.s of Lodges St. John and Thistle, and by visiting Brethren from other Lodges, viz. — Messrs Biaßott, Griffiths, Miller, and Anderson. All wished Brother Dimant Godspeed and proßpori'y m his now spbero of action, and testified to his labors for tho advancement of Masonry m its truest sense, to hia worth as a citizen, and his instrumentality iv helping m various ■ ways those who needed assistance. Con--1 siderablo feeling waß exhibited by those more

iatimately acquainted with the departing brother m making their farewell remarks, and the feeling was unanimous that by tho re- 1 moval of Bro. Dimant the district loses a good and useful oitizen and Mason. Bro. Dimant ropliod briefly and feelingly, and the gathering was closed by all singing "Auld Langsyno," and giving throe cheers for the Worshipful Master and his family.

Tho Mo3srs Friedlander have been appointed agents for tho Massey Reaper and Binder, whioh seems to bo winning golden opinions. Thoro was a very auccesaful trial at Methven the other day, of whioh we expect to receive particulars from our looal correspondent. Tho Aahburton Drug Company, Limited, which has been formed for that purpose, announce tho taking over of tho buainossos formerly conduotcd by Messrs Kamnitzor and Ncato respectively, and intimate that they will supply the public with drugs, chemicals, etc., of the very best at lowor prices than have hitherto obtained. Tho Rev. Father Ohervier will oelebrate Mass at Ashburton at 11 a.m. to-morrow. We are adviaed by the Postmaster that telegraphic communication on tho Port Darwin lino has been interrupted north of Powell's Greek since 9.15 a.m. on Friday. By the courtesy of Mr Compton we have * had tho pleasure of inspecting a, splendid photograph of the Firo Brigades taking part m the rncent demonstration at Christ church. It is of largo sizo, and shows hundreds of figures with great clearness, tho portraits of the firemen being easily recognisable. It will, wo understand, be exhibited to-day m the window of Mr W. Zander, East streot. No, 12 of Leslie's Parliamentary Portraits to hand is devoted to Mr G. Beetbam, member for Mastorton, and the lively little mombor for Now Plymouth, Mr 0. Samuels. The last is recognisable as to face, but very faulty as to figure, while the former is wholly unrecognisable. Tho letter.prosa descriptions are orisp, bright, and amusing. It has recently been stated that during the last twenty years more than 100 English and French patents for perpetual motion have Loon obtained, and that ono oanguino individual near Liverpool iB tho poorer by £10,000 for his pursuit of this will-o'-the-wisp. A British physician assorts that rabios can bo produoed by tho mangling of the tissues of otherwise healthy doga by equally healthy dogs. He gives instances where, after two dogs fighting, both m a healthy condition, and remaining healthy, their bite has been followed on a horso, and on a man, by hydrophobia* Boiontists, however do not consider tbia theory proved, but will investigato. A projeot ia afoot ia Holland for tho draining of the Zuider Sea. This undertaking, if successful, will inorcasa the number of provinoos from 11 to 12, and the plans have boon prepared for the work. An outlet for a portion of the silver whioh ia either being produoed, or about to bo pro. daoed, by Australian mines has suggested itself. Tho Viceroy of Canton has, tho 4 Argua ' learns, presented a memorial jto the Emperor of China, asking permission to establish a mint. Ho has pointed out that there would be much advantage to the Government m having a national ourrenoy. He proposes to strike off 1,000,000 dollara first, and if that goes into circulation 4,000,000 more will be minted. 16 is poobible that considerable re. mittanooa of Australian silver to the East would improve exchange facilities. A butoberwas frozen to death on the moors near Sheffield. The Queen has made the youngest son o Lord Iddesleigh a baronet, whioh will make him Sir Stafford iNorthoote, like his feUhor. Teacher : " Who was Alexander Selkirk ? " Tommy : "Ho wbb a oivil engineor, ma'am." Teaohor : " Civil Engineer ? " Tommy : " Yeß, ma'am — monarch of all ho servoyod." The Borough Counoil of Greymouth are considering tho advisableness of raising a loan of £30,000 for town improvements, tho prinoipal item being a water supply soheme to cost £15,000.

A famous painter once painted an angel with six toes. " Whoever saw an angel with six toes ? " people enquirod. '• Whoevor saw ono with loss ? " was the counter-question. Mr Justice Inneß, of Now South Waloi, hods tho following opinion:— A ohequo ia not a payment of a dobfc till it is honored and m acknowledging ita reoeipt a reoeiptstamp neod not be used. Tho Prince and Princess of Walos recently entertained a shooting party at Sandringham, whioh m two daya killed 6500 head of game. The Countess de Paris is said,to have distinguished herself as a shot.