The Herald. Alexandra, Thursday, Oct. 1, 1903 A FIRE BRIGADE.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 386, 1 October 1903, Page 4

The Herald. Alexandra, Thursday, Oct. 1, 1903 A FIRE BRIGADE.

As tbe Alexandra waterworks scheme will shortly be an accomplished faot, we would suggest to the Borough Council the desirability of at once procuring the appliances necessary for the extinguishment of fires, should such unfortunately take place. It would be aggravating in the extreme were serious loss occasioned in the town by an outbreak of fire, whilst water under pressure was within reach, and yet could not be utilised satisfactorily owing to the absence of the proper appliances. To carry out this suggestion, it will be necessary in the first place to procure a reel, and we would suggest that there be also obtained about 500 ft of 3in or 3Jin canvas hose (of the quality generally used by fire brigades), together with hydrants, branches, nozzles, and coupling appliances. We feel sure that no difficulty would be experienced in organising an efficient fire brigade, as no doubt a sufficient number of our young men would be only too pleased to come forward and act in this capacity, and the items of equipment we have mentioned would be sufficient meantime to enable the brigade to effectively and promptly cope with any fire that might occur in tbe town. We hope that the Oouncil will, at an early date, take some steps in the direction indicated.

Mr J. Smith, tailor, inserts a change of ad. in this issue.

Mr W. Murray intimates that he will be absent from Alexandra till Monday, 25th Last.

The Alexandra Lawn Tennis Club have decided to open the season on Saturday, i October 10th. .-*

Tenders for the plastering of the service . reservoir, in connection with tbe Alexandra water works, close at 4 p.m. to-day (Thursday). Tbe annual horse parade in connection with the Central Otago A. and P Association will be held at Ophir on Thursday, October 29th (court day). A Siberian peasant named kakerski, ot Sakhalin Islands, has been arrested as a cannibal. ■ He murdered several people, in order to rob them, and drank their blood. The Clerk of the Court will visit Alexandra on Friday, 2nd October at 2 p.m. for the purpose of issuing summonses, &c, for hearing on court-day, Monday 12th October. Land on the Waimate plains, Taranaki, is steadily going up in price. A farmer who bought a section for £l7 an acre two years ago the other day refused an offer of £25 for the same. The Colonial Treasurer has invited competitive designs for a new Government Insurance postage stamp, to replace that now in ise. A prize of £5 will be awarded to the competitor sending the hart daaigai Mr Wilwrd, M.H.E., has come haoh with a large stock of '• yarns" from his trip home. He takes special delight in narrating that the best • toast" he heard while away was: " Our sweethearts and wives—may they never meetl" Db D J S Burt, the eye, ear and throat specialist, has arrived in Dunedin from the Continent, where he has been for some time studying tbe latest treatment of the throat and eye diseases, and has resumed his practice at the Octagon

Mr Orlando Dextbb, a New York lawyer, was murdered on his estate in the Adirondack Mountains. The police have discovered a plot among lumbermen and others to kill the millionaire owners of game preserves in private parks covering one million acres in the Adirondack district. In some of the inland towns of Otago bread and meat are nearly at famine prices. It is said that an energetic rabbiter at Roxburgh is doing a pushing trade in the rabbit line, selling the carcases at 6d per pair and retaining the skins. The people are taking to bumny as a substitute for butcher's meat.

This district is at present suffering from the effects of an unusually lengthy spell of dry weather, and rain is badly needed to give a stimulus to the growth of vegetable life; The weather for some time past has, however, been beautifully fine, but a few hours' rain would be appreciated by gardeners, farmers and pastoralists. A strong effort is being made to amalga mate all the large fruit grower* and poultry farmers in New Zealand. The moving spirit is Mr E Reiily, of Studholrae Junction, who asserts that the amalgamation will not be in the nature of a trust or combine, the object being simply to bring the producer and the consumer closer together and to benefit both.

A game of cards between several ladies led to a scene at Fleminuton racecourse, Melbourne, and finally the Police Court praceedings. A Mrs Lily Karlaws charged Mrs Alice Deary with insulting her by calling her " a cheat" and " a thing." Defendant, who was lightly finedj admitted using the word "thing," but contended it was not offensive.

Breakers ahead I the cold and rain Will soon be with us once again. Soon Winter's breath will freeze the are, For coughs and colds we must prepare, Complaints that cause so much distress, Yet everyone will soon confess That the remedy good and pure -

Is some— Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. The London Post Office has agreed to an extension of the postal-note system between Great Britain and the colonies, under which small sunWfrom 63 to dSlls may be transmitted at a minimum poundage, varying probably from one penny to threepence, as against-sixpence at present levied on money orders not exceeding £l. This comes into force January 1 next. At Hawera S.M. Court -the.-other day judgment was given in the case Aves v Patea County Council, claim for damages for injuries sustained by plaintiff through his horse shying at timber for bridge decking, left near Patea bridge, negligence being alleged against the Council. Judgment was entered up for plaintiff for £ll9 14s and costs £22 9s 2d. The court was asked to fix security for appeal. IN his early days Sir Thomas Lipton denied himself almost every pleasure except that of amassing a fortune. Calling one day on a consul on business matters, he was offered a cigar by the official " No, thank you," said {Sir Thomas (then Mr) Lipton; " although I am the biggest smoker in England, I never smoke cigars." *• What do you smoke ?" was the surprised query. "Bacon " was the prompt reply. A Yankee news item :—" New York, July 22nd.—J.P. Morgan tipped a young newsboy with a sdol gold piece to-day. It was a surprise to the boy, and a greater one to banker. The latter recovered first, then the gold piece was recovered, and the newsboy emerged from his daze at last. Morgan took the half-eagle, deposited a dull silver piece in its place and drove away. A bystander, who had heard that the great banker's time is worth about Idol a minute, remarked that it cost 40dol for the banker to recover 4f dol. ON Wednesday of last week the Clyde waterworks were officially opened, advantage being taken of the presence in the town of the County Councillors to hold the opening ceremony. After the reservoirs had been inspected the party returned to the town, when the County Chairman (Mr Jas, Horn) turned on the water and declared the works open. Subsequently, the party assembled in the town ball, where, aftei refreshments had been partaken of, numerous toasts were proposed and duly honored. Special reference was made to the valuable services rendered by Mr B Naylor, to whose efforts, whilst a number of the County Council, the inanguration of the scheme was to a large extent due A very enjoyable and largelyattended social was held in the evening. OUR language is rapidly growing (says the "Grey Argus"). In the S.M. Court the the other day, a witness used phrase and figure of speech that struck us as being distinctly new. but to a large per centage of those in the body of the Court were evidently everyday vernacular. Among other . expressions used, the witness " came down from the bush for a bit of a knock 5" he subsequently " had a bit of a crook " (felt unwell); he was "off the tank now", (strictly sober); but if drink was brought to him. he " wouldn't throw it out." In the \ last case the" witness evidently meant that -he would •' throw itr.in," and he did—to some purpose. He also deposed that thedefen- , dants in the case had started proceedings by asking him ; " How's your wind ?' Witness was asked what was meant by the question. With a look of surprised contempt at the " beak " who evidently didn't understand his own language, the witness explained that they wanted to know " how much rhino, beans, cash, or coin he bad in his pockets." The enlightened Magistrate Sisped"Oh!" and entered up a note for

We notice that two Alexandra young men —Messrs Leo Ryan and D Theyere—have entered into business as storekeepers ftc, at Omahu, in the Thames district. We wish our late fellow-townsmen every succes in their new undertaking.

A mkmber of the Gore branch of the Farmers' Union stated last week that he planted about 2000 trees every yeafr; but he had gone in for the wrong sort-vffiicrocarpa and pinus insignia. His plantation was practically useless; whereas if he had planted larch and similar trees, it would have been worth nearly £IOOO. Halifax society women are in a flutter over the sensational charges made by the Rev W J Ancient, at St. Luke's Cathedral, the fashionable church of Halifax. Mr Ancient said he was informed that womenhe was going to say ladies—who come to church and approach Holy Communion with the appearance of sincerity and humiliation went on the golf links next day and swore, like troopers. At the meeting of the Vincent County Council held last week, a letter was read from Mr Jas. Bennet, M.H.R.. stating that the Postmaster-General had agreed to erect a telephone line between Ophir and Poolburn, provided a guarantee of £6O were given. Cr Rutherford stated that he had collected £3O, and on his motion the Council voted £3O, to complete the £6O required. The much-nee<?ed wire between j Ophir and the Valley will, therefore, ere leng b* an accomplished fact. AT the Ophir Court last Thursday, Mrs Donnelly was charged with having sold liquor on her licensed premises durinp prohibited hours, with failing to admit the police without unnecessary delay, and with allowing cards to be played during hours when the hotel should have been closed. Inspector O'Brien conducted the case for the police, and Mr Hanlon defended. On the first count, a good deal of evidence was taken, that of the police officer breaking down under Mr Hanlon's cross-examination. His Worship gave defendant the benefit of the doubt, and dismissed the case. The other charges were withdrawn. A cable message states that the newspaper " The People's Journal" says that the commissioners appointed to inquire into the case of the late General Sir Hector Macdonald unanimously find there was no reason or cause which would create feelings determining him to commit suicide in preference to conviction of any crime affecting the moral, irreproachable character of so brave, fearless, glorious and unparalleled a hero. The commissioners believe the suggestions of crime were prompted through spite. They honourably acquit General Sir Hector Macdonald and deplore the sad circumstances of the case.

The charge of sly-grog selling against Joseph Kennedy, of Tiger Hill, was heard at the Ophir court last Thursday; Inspector O'Brien prosecuting and Mr Hanlon defending. The principal witness (Barclay) stated that defendant had served him with whisky for which he paid, but three other witnesses swore that Barclay was too drunk at the time to know what he was doing, and denied that liquor had been supplied. The case was dismissed. A keg ot beer found in the house was kept by the police, who will probably institute another action on the ground that the duty stamp had not been defaced before some of the contents of the keg had been removed.

We wish to call attention to the D.1.0. advertisement in our to-day's issue. The business of the company during the past few years has made tremendous strides, and to-day they are without doubt the largest concern of the kind in the colony In addition to drapery and clothing, the D.I.C. supply crockery, ironmongery, furniture, furnishings, fancy goods, pianos and organs—in fact everything likely to be required either for personal or household requirements. Their country order department has lately been reorganised, and country customers are requested to shop by post, When their commands will receive prompt and careful attention; The D.1.0. will post free to any address patterns, fashion books, catalogues, and estimates on application. Dr M Ilbot, of Ophir, had a rather exciting 'experience early on--Friday moaning last. About lam the doctor was aroused by a man who broke through a window and entered the dining-room. The doctor, seizing an empty revolver, hastened to ascertain the cause of the disturbance, and discovered a powerful looking man, dressed in dungarees.' On being challenged, the inintruder retreated to a back room, whereupon the doctor locked the door and went for assistance; On returning with Constable White it was found that the man had set fire to some straw taken from a packing case, and on the door being, opened he bolted. The constable, however, soon secured him, and after considerable trouble lodged the intruder in the lock-up. The man gave his name as Charles Wood and his age is apparently about 25. He was b'ought before Messrs Fitches and M-Knight, J.P.'s on Saturday, and committed for trial. ON Friday evening last, a number of gentlemen met in the club room at the Criterion Hotel to farewell Mr W Murray (who was leaving for Dunedin next morning) and to convey to him their good wishes on the eve of his marriage. The chair was occupied by Mr L Ryan, who, in proposing the toast of the guest of the evening, referred in complimentary ' terms to Mr Murray's many estimable qualities, and to his worth not only as a citizen but also in his professional capacity. The speaker also paid a high tribute to Miss Gregg, who was shortly to join their guest in a life partnership, and he assured Mr' Murry that both to himself and to his future wife were extended the heartiest good wishes of the whole community Several other gentlemen also spoke endorsing the chairman's remarks and each added his tribute to Mr Murray's worth, and to the esteem in which both he and his future wife were held in the community. The toast was enthusiastically honored, and Mr Murray feelingly replied, thanking those present for the kindly references that had been made to himself and Miss Gregg, and for the hearty manner in which the toast of their health had been honored. Mr Murray left by Saturday morning's coach for Dunedin, where his marriage will be celebrated to-day.