The Clutha Leader. BALCLUTHA: TUESDAY, NOV. 25.

Clutha Leader, Volume XL, Issue 42, 25 November 1913, Page 5

The Clutha Leader. BALCLUTHA: TUESDAY, NOV. 25.

Mr McEwen, the Scotch magician, opened his two-night season in the Oddfellows' Hall last night, when his clever performance of hypnotic and mesmeric jwers kept his audience interested and mused. Bolton, a very artistic stepiinoer, was roundly applauded for his mart tripping and trapping. Another atertainment will be held to-night. Tlic Clutlia branch of the New ZeaM Farmers' Union has decided to ipproach the Balclutha Borough Council 1 irith a view to organisation of special »tahles in connection with the industrial strike, but the branch does not into! to take any further action unless Htjequent events make it absolutely Krtssary. In .\iilton some members of Ike Tokomairiro branch made a canvass ml got a few specials to go to Dundin. A meeting of the Taieri Collie Club «ss held on Saturday in connection *itii the proposed conference in Dunniin re an Otago championship meeting. It was resolved to advise ail delegates of the different clubs that a meeting WiiM he held on Wednesday evening, Xovomher 2(5, in the Excelsior Hotel, ftraeilin, Mr Scott to represent the Taieri flub, along with the president. ItwasaUo resolved that Mr .1. P. AN alls l«f the Taieri Club) attend and report the meeting, and send a copy to all wspajieis where dog clubs were in ffistem-e.

A meeting of the committee of manJjoracnt of the Clutha and Matau A. ini I'. Society was held, on Saturday Jfternoon. the president (Mr W. DalSteh) being in the chair. The Band Cirnival Committee was given the use 'f tarpaulin ami framework for the %lt-of-wav at the Oddfellows' Hal! 'or£2. On the motion of Mr S. Wright, Hconiled bv Mr W. Marshall, it was de'i'H to procure 1- horse boxes, ami hve the ring extended 24ft for the tow on December A committee con!lsting of the president and Messrs S. bright, .lohn Begg and H. H. Clarke appointed to make all the necessary wangenients on the ground for the thOTT, ft will be remembered that some time S'the Clutha branch of the Farmers' toioiipiit the ''guillotine" on the longWmued discussions, disputes and dis"ttions arising out of the Noxious Act. particularly in regard to Csnail'taii thistles. At Saturday 's mect'agthe branch allowed Mr John Christie '°re-oppn the matter, and that gentleshowed no hesitation in stepping Mo the ireach, getting in some hard •Mcks on to Messrs Munro and Blunof Bali-lutha and Dunediii. Mr -Vistie referred to the last occasion on yith ho had been convicted on a of failing to cut thistles, being " ! C'l and costs —including, he said, 'ipensrs for a witness who was never ?"?'l ami who had not seen the ground, alleged that he was being victimised, to protect himself had recourse to JMing a request to Mr Massey (Minis®of Agriculture), through Mr Mal.."Mor an inquiry, lie also made ceri'J. "'barges against the inspectors Wjifh ]i e detailed), and Air Massey .®'%l him that an inquiry would be , f ''' On learning that Mr Blundell was ?.' T . v the case Mr Christie said he deJ" ef J to accept this, holding that Mr was not competent. Mr C'hrishe wanted a competent sdiortreporter to tako all the evidence, 5 , e tbe Witnesses examined on oath, <ou , VC lc rl "''t to be represented by j> a^s °i 'f necessary, to have wits,es'summoned to give evidence. The ' thing he (Mr Christie) got was a I profit from the Public Service Com«onf S ? 10 " Prs ie y considered "no i s Purpose would be secured bv holrtVi'i' " Mr Christie' then jjdi'! referred to certain civil apw.me"t fi by the Massey Government tOfp° m *' IG * armers had put into as a farmers' party—and asked: Wt + arc we S e ttiiig? it is like going (L*° tl'ie dark ages!" When Mr L. sat down other members of the tthin, U P matter and the dis--5 proceeded for some time.

On Sunday a number of local musiclovers motored to Diuiedin to hear the Royal Artillery Baud, and enjoyed a treat.

Mr Massey'» threat to "cut the Gordian knot" if the stonewall on the repeal of th,e second ballot is continued is taken to mean that there will be an early dissolution unless the Opposition alter their tactics.

| Those local persons desirous of seeing an earlj' Monday morning train running on the Catlins brauch during summer are reminded that petitions may be signed either at the Leader office or the Import Stores, On one Balelutha petition, that of Mr C. J. Wood, there areclose on 100 signatures. We have just received from the Government Printing Offices a copy of the "New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840-1913," a record of the constitution, successive Governors, Parliaments and Ministries, with a roll of members of both Houses and Provincial Assemblies, prepared by the Government Statistician as a result of a request for a return by the Hon. Mr .lenkinson in August, 1912. The book is a most interesting and valuable historical record.

Last night's Dunedin Star (Opposition), referring editorially to the stonewall on the second ballot question, says relief from the stonewall "must be looked for either in the closure or in a dissolution, for it is quite evident that the Opposition have on this occasion hardened themselves in their sinister resolve, many of them ignoring altogether the fact that their present course involves a flat contradiction of former expressions of principle on the subject of the second ballot." The advertisement of the band's long-talked-of carnival appears in this issue, and next week sjiouid see oue of the best carnivals held in this town for some time. Numerous attractions are advertised, and the secretary advises us that there are as many more yet to be advertised. There is a sheep donated for each night, and also suits of clothes, trousers, hanging lamp, mirrors, pictures, cushions, etc., to be disposed of, while a bicycle will be again competed for. The big attractions offered and the band's name should ensure a successful carnival.

The need of a boat being kept in a convenient place on the river was exemplified yesterday morning in connection with the tragedy at the bridge. Two men saw the drowning man struggling in the river, but were compelled to stand helplessly by, for there was no boat, ami to swim to the rescue would have been madness for anyone who was not a strong swimmer. Later on, when a search was being made for the body, it hail to be confined to the banks, for not a boat of any description could be procured in the town. With such a dangerous river flowing through the town it seems peculiar that something has not been done long before this so that, help may lie given in cases of accident without any delay. It is better late than never, ami we recommend the borough, council to give this matter some consideration at its meeting tonight.

The corner at the north end of the bridge is becoming notorious for frap accidents. Another mishap occurred last evening, which, although it presented alarming features, fortunately turned out not to be serious. Mr .'Joseph Sawers (son of the manager of the Stirling T>airy Factory < was driving a party, (".insisting of his mother, two sisters and Miss Marvie, of Stirling, home from Balclutha at (>.:!(), when the horse played up just as it got over the bridge. He gave it the whip, and the animal kicked savagely and rushed off up the bank on the left-hand «ide of the Stirling road. The buggy was capsized and the occupants thrown heavily out, the elder Miss Sawers being pinned underneath, but her mother pluckilv rescued her before she was kicked. Mrs Sawers got the worst injury, being bruised on the shoulder. I>r Stenhouse was soon on the scene, and pronounced the injuries to be slight, and Mr .1. 1\ Anderson drove the party to Stirling. Valuable assistance was given by that gentleman, and also Mr Abe Thomson. The buggy, which was not badly damaged, was taken into Mr Thomson 's vard.

Speaking on the matter of free railway carriage of children, at the meeting of the Clutha braii'-h of the New Zealand Fanners' T'nion on Saturday, Mr .lohn Christie said that he thought it a scandalous thing for the Government to compel parents to pay fares for children of three years and upwards. Tie declared: "If everybody felt as I do about it mothers would be given first-class tickets at second-class rates, ami children would be carried free under the age of seven years.'' Mr Jos. Moslev said the same thing referred to school children. Tt was absolutely necessary for the education of country children that they should be allowed to ride free on the trains going and coming from school so that they would have an opportunity of getting a fair start in life with the town children. He had noticed that two or three times a suggestion had been brought up in Parliament that the present concessions to school children on the railways should be taken away. The branch passed a resolution recommending that children six years of age and under be carried free on the railways, and that half-fareß be charged for those between six and twelve years.

Xot the least attraction for country people when in Dunedin for the summer show will be the opportunity for inspecting the latest improvements in fanning and household utensils. Visitors to Dunedin during show week who require a range should make a swial point of inspecting the famous Champion range. The makers (Messrs Brinsley and Company) are not exhibiting at the show this year, but for tho benefit of country -visitors they are throwing open for inspection their premises in Cumberland street, where tho famous "Champion" is made. In addition to inspecting the various styles of the "Champion," visitors may watch t,h« verv interesting processes of manufacturing. What makes the "Champion" doubly worth inspecting is the latest improvement which has been effected to it. Mot content with the "Champion" lieins; the finest working and most economical range, Messrs Brinsley are now making the Champion so that it may be turned into an open fire. For sitting by in the evening this open fire is a great comfort. Other features which add to the desirability of the Champion are that it may be obtained with oven on either right or left side, and with oven made in cast-iron or cold rolled steel. We are safe in saying that few | ranges have so much to commend then [ fo the housewife m tho ",Cbaß)!4<lt M

We publish in to-day's inset the pro- ! gramme for the Owaka A. and P. Show. Mr Malcolm, M.P. for Clutha, has had a most difficult office to 111 this year as Chairman of Committees in what will bo known as the "stonewall session." On the chairman falls th# brunt of the work when a stonewall in committee is taking place, and there has this year been a surfeit of such. Right through the piece Mr Malcolm has handled a somewhat unruly team with great judgmeut, fairness and tacf, and has proved himself worthy the confidence placed in him. In the House yesterday afternoon he made a statement of his position in regard to the stonewall at present proceeding on the repeal of the second ballot. He warned the House that he was now prepared to use to the utmost limit the powers vested in him by the Standing Orders—they were very wide powers, he said—to bring the deadlock to a finish. To this end lie would continue in the chair so long as it was physically possible for him to do so. Shortly aftfcr this the clauses of the Bill were passed without discussion, and the Hon. Mr Fisher moved the new clause regarding the repeal of the second ballot, and the debate on that question is now proceeding. The strike trouble will affect many of the pleasures of the working class during the now nearing festive season, but fortunately the sting of frugal dishes and empty pockets will not be felt in Balelutha. With the days drawing nearer to Christmas, all those who intend getting new suits for their holiday trips should hasten in placing their orders, so that they will not be dissapointed. Given a fair time, Mr C. G. Kirby, gents and ladies tailor, Clyde street, Balelutha, guarantees to fulfil all orders to entire satisfaction. Do not wait till next week, but get in before the crush, and select your pick of the splendid suitings which he has now in stock range of suitings which he has now in stock."'** i