GOSSIPY NOTES.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 114, 21 August 1877, Page 2

GOSSIPY NOTES.

(FROM OUR TIMARU GOSSIP.)

Muscular Christianity is a flourishing " Institution here, for we have two Boxing and two Athletic Clubs besides the usual Cricket, Football and Rowing Clubs. Of Athletic Clubs the South Canterbury Amateur Athletic certainly takes the pas of all other clubs, numbering as it does amongst its members, most of the tried athletes in the island, and consequently great interest is taken in its annual gatherings, which take place on two days in the month of May. The Tradesmens A.A. Club just lately started musters very strong. The Boxing Clubs hold two meetings aweek. Great interest is taken in them. Banker's and Merchant's Clerks and others, whose employment prevents their taking exercise in the daytime can put on the gloves and indulge in an amusement which is quite a preventitive of those troublesome complaints induced by sedentary occupation. Apart from these considerations I think that these clubs do almost as much good as the various teetotal societies, for it is a necessary condition for success in any trial of skill and strength that the contestant should be temperate in all things. Our Football Club is, I am sorry to confess, not a success. Those who should take an interest in it and support it by their presence at practices, do not do so, consequently its former high standard has fallen considerably. A challenge from the Christchurch Club could not be accepted as no fifteen could bo mustered who would give the Northerners, even the satisfaction of a decent game. In proportion as football h«s declined in Timaru, so has it grown and flourished at Temuka. In a small country town like that, you will generally find a number of young fellows engaged in active pusuite, who are almost always in pretty good form, and who will form a good nucleus for a fair team. Great credit must be given to "the Messrs. Barker Brothers for the energy displayed by them in all matters pertaining to the noble game. A short time ago a great deal of energy was wasted by one or two people- here in endeavouring to form a Rifle Volunteer Corps. The requisition asking His Excellency the Governor to accept their services was signed by more than the required number of would-be volunteers, and forwarded. In due course ■a reply was received by the promoters, flatly refusing to grant the petition. Although cold water has thus been thrown on the movement, yet volunteering has not suffered so far as can be judged for the T. V. Artillery musters far stronger that it ever did. The members of the battery growl very much at their wretched " piece of ordnance " yet they live in hopes that the promise of the Secretary for Defence that they shall have a better gun will be fulfilled. A chamber of commerce has been successfully started here and they, have commenced business in an energetic manner by their efforts to reform the method of conducting business in the R.M. Court. Latterly, disgraceful scenes have taken place in said Court, one solici- • tor telling his Worship to his face that he formed his judgments previous to the conclusion of the cases, to which his Worship angrily replied. • There is a strong feeling that it is time that should retire on his pension and so make way for an energetic and stronger minded man. On Dit that a certain well known J. P. is angling for the office. Ishmael. '

By our Christchurch Gossip. A short time since I noticed a certain Reverend gentleman had given a lecture on the subject of "Turks.and;/Christians.'' It was with me a'matter of surprise ,that the Reverend.lecturer took.so one-sided a view of the. case, and one so repugnant to our notions of .fair-play, and this too, on the score of It is not my intention to review his- sentiments, but it Nyas a pleasant contrast to see the Reverend Chairman on the occasion, boldly taking up the other side, and promising a lecture on his view of the subject, which lecture has not yet been publicly announced. For myself, I am on the side of the Turk, and, in my opinion, it is the duty of England, and Englishmen, to support him, irrespective of creeds. .The fate of our Indian Empire may be said to hang on "the turn of the beam," a consideration that is worth more than any. difference in creeds. As far as the Russian and the Turk are concerned, it would be well, if, like the Kilkenny cats, they were tied by the tail, flung over a line, and left to fight it out. The less that was left of either of them after the combat, would be a blessing to the rest of the world. But we should look at the present question fairly, doing justice to both parties. I opine there is not much to choose, but for choice the Tuik is more of a gentleman. Oneof ourCanterburymembersj formerly an oponent of the Government, has now become one of its whips, this looks, politically speaking, like "turning his coat.' ; Whatever may be the object of the Honorable member, it looks singular, and would bear explanation, which I, for one, would like to see given. . "How are the mighty fallen!" From a West Coast clipping, I note that the corner of Revel-street, Hokitika, was the scene of a nearly fatal accident. Luckily, height and substance were buoyed up, and landed softly, or a coroner's inquest would have resulted. " The Deil looks after his aim," is the common saying ; but I prefer the view that a chance is always given to his children to redeem the past; let us hope it may not in this instance have been given in vain. The learned and lioeral professions oftentimes come prominently before our notice. If the matter concerns the Reverend professors, we are " so «scandalized." If it is the lawyers, we shrug our shoulders, and say, " what, more or less, could have been expected." And, if among the doctors, whose sympathies, and good services, for the distressed should be a prominent characteristic,—well, how graciously they avail themselves of their opportunities! They physic and bleed us when alive, and oftentimes pay very close attention to us when we are dead! A professional reminiscence in point occurs to my mind. Some months ago a young man had the misfortune to meet with a serious accident, which rendered him insensible for a long period. While in this state, a medical man was telegraphed for, who, on arrival, approved of the treatment that was being exercised, and returned home again. The young man recovered, and in due course, received an account for professional services, but so out of all proportion to the service rendered, and the patient's means, that the young man called on the medico, and, having, hpnestly stated his position and circumstances, offered him all he had, some twenty-five pounds, and hoped he would consider the claim settled. The doctor took the sum with a smile that was "child-like and bland," and the young man departed. What was his astonishment, aft2r some length ot'tirne, when he had obtained a permanent but not lucrative billet, to receive a summons for the balance of the account £15. Rather than be disgraced by being brought into Court, he gave consent for judgment to be recorded against him, and the poor fellow has been ever since with his "nose to the grindstone"for a monthly payment, the greedy ajsculapius turning .the handle. This was the action of one who would consider it an insult to be charged with unchristianlike conduct — but to my mind it would disgrace a Turk.— Jacobus Dry-as-dust.