The Herald. Alexandra, Thursday, April 9, 1903 INDISCRIMINATE SHOOTING.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 361, 9 April 1903, Page 4

The Herald. Alexandra, Thursday, April 9, 1903 INDISCRIMINATE SHOOTING.

On more than one occasion we have directed public attention to the danger to life involved in the practice, which has become far too common in Alexandra, of shooting with pea-rifles in the neighbourhood of the town. Jt is quite an every-day experience to see beys and young men shooting with these weapons at rabbits and targets along the banks of the river, and we are afraid that in many cases these young shootists, who are probably unfamiliar with the range and power of these rifles, do not exercise sufficient caution to see that the bullets are so directed that possible danger to life may be averted. In any case, it is a punishable violation of the bye-laws to discharge firearms within the precints of the Borough, and on more than one occasion we have heard complaints from residents who have heard bullets, from the rifle of some careless sportsman, whistle past in dangerous proximity to their persons. As an example of the danger attendant on the practice alluded to, we may mention the case (referred to elsewhere in this issue) of the serious wounding of a valuable horse, belonging to Mr J. Rivers. The horse was, at the time of the occurrence, grazing-in a paddock near a populous part of the town, and was no doubt wounded unintentionally by seme careless person when ov*> . shooting at rabbits or at a target. T%fs (serves to emphasise the, made regarding the danger of rifle shooting in close proximity to the town, and we trust the authorities will at once take the sternest measures to effect the abatement of the nuisance before a more serious accident happens.

Messrs Brown, Ewing and Co. insert a new advertisement in this issue, to which we direct attention.

The free millers have reduced the price of flour in sacks to £lO per ton, and in 501b bags to £lO 15s per ton. The next English and European mail, via San Francisco, closes at the Alexandra postoffice on Sunday next at 7 p.m. On Sunday evening last, the police made a raid on a Chinese fan-tan den in Dunedin, ard arrested 33 Chinamen.

Mi J J O'Kane, dentist, may be consulted at Dr M'llroy's surgery, Ophir, on Saturday, April 18th, from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. It is probable that Sir Joseph Ward and Mr James Bennett, MH. 8., will visit Ophir about the end of the present month.

Mr Robert Gilkison was entertained at a banquet at Miller's Flat laat evening, given by his friends and supporters At last Monday's meeting of the Alexandra Borough Council, Mr J Travis was reappointed to the position of dayman. Mr Francis Egginton, of Alexandrahas been gazetted of births, deaths and marriages for the Manuherikia district. The Alexandra Brass Band will play a number of selections in the Recreation Reserve on Sunday next, commencing at 3 p.m.

The annual meeting of the Alexandra Rifle Corps was held on Thursday evening last, and was well attended. A report will appear in next issue.

Messrs Tonkin and Co have disposed of their rabbit buying and forwarding business in Central Otago to Mr James Ruddin of Ocean Beach Freezing Works.

Mr Warden Cruiokshank has been gazetted chairman of the Tuapeka Licensing Committee, and Mr Waiden Burgess chairman of the Wakatipu Committee. The project to form a Co-operative Society (bakery and butchery) in Alexandra has been abandoned, owing to the scheme not meeting with sufficient public support. At the Clyde Magistrate's Court last Saturday, John Mouat was fined ss, with costs 9s, for a breach of the county byelaws in driving across a bridge at other than a walking pace. The Court of Appeal sitting in Wellington quashed the conviction, by Dr M'Arthur, of Tattersall's agent for receiving money for transmission to Hobart. The agency was held to be legal, . We extremely regret having to record the death of Mr Robert M'lntosh, an old and highly-respected resident of Ida Valley, who passed away on Monday, after a short illness. The deceased gentleman was 75 years of age at the time of his death.

MESSRS Briasco and Thomas's quadrille has proved very successful. A large number of young people attended on both evenings and everyone voted it to be most orderly and enjoyable. The dances will be continued weekly throughout the season on Wednesday evenings.

Nominations of candidates to fill the offices of councillors for the Alexandra Borough Council for the ensuing term, will be received by. the town clerk up to Wednesday, 15th April. Nominations for the position of Mayor will be received on the same day. Me A F Cottrell, cycle manufacturer of Alexandra, has introduced a motor bicycle to the district, and as this is the first machine of the kind seen here, the exhibitions given by Mr Cottrell caused no little interest. The bicycle is driven by a2§ h.p, motor. An exhibition will be given at the Clyde sports on Monday. The sports to be held at Clyde on Monday promise to be even more successful than usual, judging by the numerous entries that have been received. No effort is being spared by the committee to ensure a success-' ful gathering, and a most enjoyable day's sport may be anticipated. A concert takes place in the town hall in the evening. To-morrow (Good Friday) the local postoffice will observe a close holiday. Mails usually closing on Friday, will close on Thursday at 9 p.m. On Easter Monday, the office will open in all its branches from 9 am.to 10 a- m. A delivery of correspondence will be made over the counter on Thursday evening after the arrival of the Dunedin mail.

William Turner, a native of Stßathans, died on Saturday night in the Naseby Hospital from shock, consequent on amputation of his left leg the same morning. This was necessitated by the deceased being crushed by a fall of clay while sinking to deepen the elevating plant in the Scandinavian Company's claim at Surface Hill on the afternoon of the 30th ult.

At the last meeting of the Alexandra Borough Council, a requisition containing 250 signature", was presented to the present Mayor (Mr J Kelman) asking him to accept the office for another term. Each of the councillors spoke highly of the excellent services rendered by the Mayor, and urged him to allow himself to be again nominated. Mr Kelman said he would consider the matter, and let them have a reply in a few days.

The funeral of the late Mrs W A Thomson (whose death was reported in our last issue) took place on Sunday last, when the high esteem in which the deceased lady was held was evidenced by the immense concourse of people who assembled to pay their last tribute of respect. In addition to local residents, visitors were present from Clyde, Bald Hill Flat and the surrounding district. The service at the grave was impressively conducted by the Rev J Mackie. At the Presbyterian Church in the evening, the Eev Mr Mackie conducted a memorial service, wherein he made feeling reference to the estimable qualities of the deceased lady. A report of the rev gentleman's remarks is, we regret," unavoidably held over till next issue.

The following extraordinary paragraph is taken from the January (19 3) number of 'Our Work,'a magazine published in Lon don by the Church Extension Association:— " Alexandra, N.Z.—This is a mining town that has grown from about 200 people to nearly 1000 in the last few years. The Presbyterians were in great force, and they tried to prevent my getting the use of any of the buildings for services. It was only when I stated that I should hold services at the street corners that I got the use of the town hall at father a high rental. We had a bazaar there, and made about £l2O. But going home with this money after it was all over, two of my licensed Readers were attacked by larrikins, and we nearly lost it. Our Christianity, however, isi.of a sturdy kind, for the money was saved, although my Eeaders suffered somewhat about their eyes and noses. So you see we work under difficulties. One cheering result of the Church Mission was the closing of a Methodist congregation, and their attachment to* ouf church the " crdained " minister going to work as a layman. When I took charge of the work, the altar of the Parish Church was a poQr deal table covered „witb dirty red cloth, and its only ornaments were dead blue-bottles :and flies. All the three churches put together had not a single set of altar linen between them - If I can get one, ohurch decently furnished, the others will not like to be left behind."--[The present vicar of Dunstan Parish (the Kev WAR Fitchett, M A) informs us that he intends bringing the foregoing extract before his vestry, and sifting the matter as far as possible; In the meantime, he is of opinion that the statements, if not absolutely untrue, are exceedingly nu'sleading. Mr Fitchett states that he has not experienced the bitter see teriato feeling suggested by the Writer* '

The main local attraction during the Easter Holidays will undoubtedly be the Methodist Bazaar, to be held in the Alexandra Town Hall. For several months the ladies of the guild have been working assiduously and now they look to the public \ to crown their efforts with success. The bazaar will open on Saturday afternoon, and will continue business during that e\ter)iyg, and also on Monday afternoon and Judging by the. number and nature £|jritffi attractions, we think it should gaimqflßpßi share of public patronage. We wish it success. On Tuesday morning ' last, it was dis. covered that a valuable horse belonging to Mr James Rm >s, and which had been grazing in a paddock within the Borough, was suffering from a severe bullet wound in the shoulder. The bullet penetrated to a considerable distance, and an effort by Dr Gregg to extract it proved unsuccessful, and the animal will probably be crippled for life. The wound was evidently caused by a bullet fired from a -SU-calibre pea rifle, but whether it was the result of acdident or design, it is at present impossible to say. The police are investigating the case... It is about time steps were taken to put a stop to the indiscriminate rifle-shooting which goes on within the limits of the Borough, in proximity to dwelling-houses.