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Kaikoura Star, Volume XIV, Issue 803, 28 December 1894, Page 4

On New Year's Day a close holiday will be observed in all departments by the Post Office, but the Telegraph Office will be open in the morning between 9 and 10, and in the evening between 7 and 8. There will only be one publication of the Star next week—on Friday the 4th—but Telegraphic news received between today’s paper and noon on Wednesday next will be published in Extra form on the afternoon of the 2nd prox. Mr Meddings, Inspr. of Telegraphs, Christchurch, arrived here on Monday on an official visit, Mrs Meddings accompanying him. They took up their quarters at the Commericial. After enjoying the salubrious air of the Scarborough of the Colony for three days they left for the South, via the Coast, this morning. The Xmas number of the Canterbury Times is a highly creditable production, containing a vast quantity of very interesting reading matter, both original and extract, the selections beingofahighstandard of excellence. A number of capital illustrations add considerably to the general attractiveness of the paper, which is a distinct advance upon the 1893 Xmas issue of the Canterbury. The Postal Dept, notify that the s.s. Kaikoura leaves Wellington on 29th inst., due London Feb 10th; Doric leaves Wellington 10th Jany., due London Feb. 19th; Hauroto leaves Wellington on 9th Jany., connecting with mail via Brindisi leaving Melbourne on 15tb, due London Feb. 19th. Correspondence need not be specially addressed.

Mr Knott, the well known and popular Temperance Lecturer, is to pay Kaikoura a visit in a few days. He is expected to arrive here on the sth prox; meet the members of the Good Templar Lodge on the 7th ; give a public lecture the following evening, with a lime light Exhibition of ‘ Ten nights in a bar room : and on the evening of the 10th give a lecture and an entertainment in the Suburban School.

The Christmas Tree and Jumble sale, held in the Town Hall on Christmas Eve, in aid of the Kohai Church Building Fund, was fairly well attended. The Tree was laden with toys and ornaments of various descriptions, and the promoters had little trouble in disposing of tickets. A stall containg articles suitable for house decorations was attractive to many. A number of Chinese lanters were used, with pleasing effect, to illuminate the hall. We have reason to believe that the sale, taken altogether, was a success.

The Christmas Number of the Weekly Press (Christchurch) is undoubtedly a superb one. There are over forty half-tone illustrations, which are perfect works of art. Those illustrating a vist to the other side of the Island, ‘ The West Coast Road by rail and coach from Christchurch to Hokitika,’ are exceediugly pleasing, as, also, are the various portraits and the full page picture of Port Lyttelton. The Weekly Press has this year improved upon its previous very excellent Christmas publication, which surpassed anything of the kind produced in the Colony. The whole of the beautiful illustrations reflect very great credit upon the staff of the Press, whose work they are entirely. We have to thank the publisher for s copy of the paper.

The programme of an entertainment to be given on Tuesday night will be found in another column : it is a good ‘ bill.'

The Handicaps for the closed events at the New Year's Day Sports will be found on page 6, together with ‘ Anticipations by Proteus.’

Mr Connolly, solicitor, aud Mr 11. Dunn, both of Blenheim, arc paying Kaikoura a holiday visit. They arc staying at the Club.

At a meeting of the Sports Committee last night it was decided that the silver cruet (valued at .£2 2s), presented by Messrs Duthie & Co., should be awarded to the winner of the New Year’s Handicap ; a scarf pin, presented by C. Mills, watchmaker, to the winner of the Walk ; an album, presented by Messrs P. Hayman & Co., to the winner of the Mile Run; and a flower stand (to the winner of the Married Men’s race.

On the application of the Rev F. W. Isitt, a prohibition order was granted against a Christchurch resident who did not appear. Mr Isitt said he knew nothing of the habits or state of the mau except what he heard in the evidence at a Coroner's inquest held lately. He (Mr Isitt) believed that it was competent for any person to move for au order. This was admitted by the Bench, and evidence was given that the man bad been ‘ou the spree ’ for some three months and was (in witness's opinion) wasting his substance and injuring his health by his habits. The Bench thereupon made an order prohibiting publicans and others in the Christchurch district from supplying the man with intoxicating liquor for a year. Mr Isitt is to be applauded for bis action. But why, we should like to know, is it necessary for a citizen to intervene in such a matter. We have previously, and more than once, urged that it is the duty of the police to step in when a man is injuring himself, physically and iu pocket, by his public tabulations. That that is the proper course is daily emphasised, and one that should be followed when friends or relatives fail in their duty. When a man has neither then, undoubtedly, the State, —the police being the precise piece of machinery employed —would be discharging one of its many functions in adopting au attitude of guardianship— in loco parentis. Better that the State should do this, so that men may have a further chance of dying a natural death, rather tbau not avert, if possible, the suddeu or violent death of au indigent person through drink. Such cases involve the State in expense—a Coroner’s inquest, and interment costs—which might frequently be saved ; to say nothing of the higher duty, preventiou of bumau shipwreck. —Locket fouud on Beach Road will be returned to owner ou article being described ; apply Star Office. —Tenders for lease of Close's farm close on 7th inst. —Tenders for lease of Adelphi Hotel close on Monday. —Tenders for firewood invited by J. Davidson. —W W Smart has first-class cow to sell or let,