Bulls Items

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 57, 16 October 1883, Page 3

Bulls Items

(SBOM OUE OWN COBRESFONDENT.) Bulls, October 12. Mr John Gordon, of this town, has suffered a great loss this week in the death, of a valuable horse. From what information can be gathered, it seems that some small children drove it into a corner, between two fences, and began pelting it with stones. The animal attempted to jump the fence, but failed to clear the stabs, one of which entered tke belly, making a fearful wound, from which the intestines exuded. As soon as Mr Gordon saw the state the horse was in, he mercifull}* put it out of its misery, and had it removed to tbe river bank, where it is intended to cremate it. humor has it that the Rev. Wm. Ballachy, Anglican Minister, is anxious to return to this district, as he finds the Canterbury climate too severe for himself and family. The only difficulty in the *'ay is that of £50, that root of all evil, some parts of this district being still woefully in. arrears. Since seeing the account of the co-operation of the storekeepet s in Feilding, it has struck me that in an extended district like this, with such a sparse population, and where each small denomination aad sect has its own minister, who receives at the best but a miserable pittance, that a co-operative church would succeed. Let Anglicans, Wesleyans, Romanists, Presbyterians, Brethren, Infidels, and Heretics form themselves Into a Co-operative Church Society, elect a church directorate, etc., and send to .England for the best talent obtainable ; such men, for instance, as Cardinal Newman, Spurgeon, or Professor Tyndal, to whom they would be able to offer a salary commensurable with their ability. It would also be necessary to engage a first-class musical conductor and organist, and a few professional singers, the whole of whom would cost less than is at present expended, in religious work, and then there would be some pleasure and profit ia going to church. At the end of the jear the credit balance might be expended in acts of charity. If the 'denominations named feel inclined to act upon my suggestion, my fee will be "i\ per cent on gross income for first year, I furnishing full particulars as to mode of procedure, of which I hold "letters patent." The mosquitoes are much earlier, more numerous, and bloodthirsty than has been known for years past; their nocturnal melodies have been so awfully fasciuating this last week that sleep has been quite out of the question- I have been informed that the man who made the first bag pipes, did so hoping to imitate these sweet nocturnal songsters (?). The new court house was used for the first time on Thursday, when K. Ward, Esq., R.M., presided. None of the internal fittings have been made yet, and the Bench and Bar had to be content with tables aad chairs- The usual amount of debt eases were gone through. I would suggest that the Good Templars should take possession of the old court house, pending an owner turning up. A requiem was performed by our Maori neighbors last Wednesday morning, under the verandah of Nathan's store, in memory of the late Maori chief, Mete £jbtgi. Mr Sam Kaikakatea, of Parawanui, who is also cousin to the late chief, was the prima .ionna. The opening solo, where the fair cantatrice greeted some "Whangaehu relations, was a magnificent piece of vocalisation, and will not soon be forgotten by those who were priviledged auditors- Several duets were rendered in a masterly manner, and the chorus parts were well sustained by about twenty well traiaed Maori ladies, robed in various but picturesque costumes, from a blanket to a black silk dress, v a la Parisienne." After wailing away pleasantly for a couple of hours, the performance was brought to an end by a Bhort haka, after which refreshments were served out. There was a large European audience, but " no collection." Mr J. E. Harper is improving his store by having the front painted and lettered, The work is being performed by Mr Gosling, which is a guarantee that the work will be well done.