Marlborough Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 1880.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 106, 26 March 1880, Page 3

Marlborough Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 1880.

During the last Parliamentary session a formidable number of Royal Commissions were appointed to take evidence and make their reports thereon. At the present time there are Commissions obtaining information in various parts of die Colony on Railways, Native affairs, the Civil Service, and Education, and the statements of the witnesses are being taken down by skilled reporters, and will appear probably some months hence in Parliamentary blue books and papers. Now all this is not done for nothing, and the important question arises whether the result is worth the cost. Ths information obtained by these Comn .:;sions, and the deductions made therefrom by competent minds, are calculated to be of great value as aids to fut re legislation, if honorable members were guided by them, but experience shows that other considerations weigh more with them in giving their votes than reports of these “ Royal Commissions.” That such a tribunal forms a very suitable basis for legislative action is manifest in theory, but in practice it is clear that few, if any, of the numerous Acts which fill our statute books are founded upon them. In most cases, when a subject is brought forward for discussion in Parliament here, and probably elsewhere also, members have made up their minds how they are going to vote. The appointment of a Royal Commission on almost any subject, means, in practice, nothing more than some months delay, at a time probably when it is inconvenient for a Ministry, or a party, to s-helve some measure under discussion. There are few subjects which have received more attention or elicited a greater amount of debate, than the Electoral Bill, which, afterconsiderable manipulation passed into law; yet this useful measure was kept in abeyance by the Grey party for two years, although they hadbeentradingall thetimeonthe cry raised for its necessity by themselves. But although we cannot look for much effect being produced on the Legislature from the reports of the Commissions now sitting, they have an indirect tendency for good in giving to the general public some grains of wheat, some real facts, mixed up with an immense amount of chafi. We are led to these remarks by looking over some of these reports, particularly an ad interim one by the Commission now sitting on University Education. It must strike the reader that the members are working without plan, and are asking a number of irrelevant questions, which elicit nothing material, and are so lengthy that few persons will ever have patience or time to read them. From questions put by members to the witnesses called on these Commissions, it is evident that the querists themselves entertain pre-conceived notions of the matter on which they are sitting, and to some extent are bound by the exigencies of political party warfare. So far, then, as Legislation in the immediate future is concerned, very little will depend on the reports of t .e Commissioners now travelling about the country at no little cost; but, nevertheless, important information may be ob.cined which may guide the Press in di- ; ecting public opinion on important questions. The wide scope of some of these Commissions is such as to require years of patient research, and great knowledge of the subject in order to deal thoroughly with the question For in. nee the Royal Commission on Education is taking evidence relative to i 1 trusts and endowments fo • Seconda' v Education, t-ie status of every Grammar School in its relation to the New Zealand University, and the rival claims of Dunedin and Christchurch to a School of Medicine. It has also to report what Secondary Education ought to be (a vast subject in itself, and one that has not been / settled in any country except, perhaps, Prussia. ) It has also to indicate how the Civil Service is to be brought within reasonable limits ; to consider Native claims to land, and what Railways are to be made. Such are a few items which Pa liament, if we are not much m'staken, will settle on vastly different considerations to the evidence andrecommendations of Royal Commissions.

Wk learn by telegram that the Presbyterian Synod which has completed its annual meeting at Auckland, has given great prominence to the Temperance question. Addresses were delivered on this subject by four of its most prominent members, among whom we observe the name of the Rev. W. Shirriff. The Synod of the Otago Presbyterian Church has also spoken out very plainly on this topic, calling upon all its people to assist Temperance Societies in their efforts to repress drunkenness, and curtail the sale of intoxicating liquors. Other denominations also seem anxious to bring about a like result, and they are doing a good work in which they deserve the hearty co-operation and assistance of all who have the welfare of the masses at heart, in th’s or any other

country. Many think that striving to check the excessive use of stimulants is an attempt to prohibit the sale of liquors altogether, and doubtless many ardent teetotallers are of this opinion. Their knowledge of human nature, or even of the working of Temperance Societies must be slight, who think so. A 3 a free people the majority would not submit to coercion ; nor has it been proved that such legislation as would altogether prohibit the sale of strong drink, would effect its object. The creation of a strong moral feeling in the minds of the public against the abuse of drink, the granting additional hotel licenses only in places where they are required for the public accommodation, and seeing that they are well conducted, should be the object of Temperance organizations, which may thus be made immense levers of repressive power. The moral feeling which is being slowly engendered will in the end- effect much that the Societies desire to accomplish, but for this generation at least, they must remain satisfied by believing that the slow growth of proper feeling, which they are doing so much to foster, is a greater work than passing any amount of prohibitory Acts of Parliament. The inhabitants of the Wairau are awa a of the earnest but unostentatious manner in which the Rev. W. Shirriff has always supported not only Temperance reform but every other work which tends to moral or religious improvement ; and they will be pleased to learn that such a prominent place has been assigned to him by the Synod at Auckland. To such measures of legislation as “Local Option,” &c., we do not attach much importance ; but we hail with satisfaction the steady growth of Temperance principles in the minds of the community.

With the present issue, the Marlborough Xim completes the first year of it’s existence ; and the prophets of evil who predicted that our life would be limited to three or six months at the most —the wish being father to the thought—have been mistaken. During the year the amount of support accorded to us has been extremely liberal: so much so that we have had to enlarge the paper to its present size, to meet the demand upon our limited space. This is evidence that our efforts have been appreciated, and at the end of another year we hope to chronicle greater and more extreme progress still. The path of a journalist is, especially in a small community, beset with many difficulties, and no greater reward can we receive than the approval of the public.

The Anuual meeting of the Marlborough Pastoral and Agricultural Association will be held at the Club Hotel, Blenheim, on Saturday, the 3rd April. At 12 minutes past 5 o’clock on Wednesday morning there was a shock of eaathquake felt in and around Blenheim. The direction was from East to West.

The bridge at Allport’t Flat on the Picton road has been repairad, and Mr Earll’s coach will run daily until further notice, should sufficient inducement offer, leaving Picton at 9 o’clock a.m., and Blenheim at 3 p.m. The Banks and the lawyers’ offices will be closed from to-day (Friday) to Monday next, both days inclusive. To-day being Good Friday is a statute holiday in the General Government Offices.

Mr John Ragg has filed a declaration of his inability to meet his engagements with his creditors. The liabilities are stated to be £l4O, and the assets, which consist principally of book debts and mining shares, are put down at £9O. In the matter os M’Carthy v. Wilson, which has been before the Resident Magistrate’s Court on several occasions lately, an order will be applied for at the next sitting to restrain plaintiff from further proceeding in the action.

Arrangements have been made for a Juvenile fete and sports on Easter Monday in connection with the Hibernian Society and the children attending the Catholic schools, to take place at Redwood Town. If the weather proves fine a numerous gathering may be expected. Church of the Nativity.—There will be morning service in this Church to-day at the usual hour. Sunday next, being Easter Day, the customary Faster offertories will be collected. VVe understand that the services both morning and evening will be choral.

Special arrangements have been made for the daily dispatch of mails between Picton and Blenheim (and intermediate offices) by road. The mail will close at the Blenheim office each day at two o’clock in the afternoon. This arrangement will continue until further uotic...

A public tea rneetin • in celebration of the anniversary of the B euheim Wesleyan Church will be held in Ewart’s Hall to-day (Good Friday) at 4.30 p.m. After tea there will be a public meeting which will be addressed on special subjects by clergyman and other frfends. A choice musical programme has been prepared for the occasion.

Gunsmiths are very busy just now repairing guns of all kinds for customers who intend to make havoc with the v 'ld ducks and pigeons next Monday. There are very contradictory reports as to the plentifulness or scarcity of the birds this season. By the time our next issue is published we shall irobably be able to state what bags have >een obtained by some of our local sportsmen. The steamers Lyttelton which left here on Monday, and the Napier, which left on Tuesday, both for Wellington, have been detained at the Wairau Bar ever since, and at the time we w Ate are still lying there. The sea is ru inrng over the bar and is stated to be one sheet of foam from headland to headland. A mesteng ;r was dispatched this mo. fing to bring back the mails and have them sent; on by way of Picton.

Mb Rayner has returned from England with a large stock of Men’s, Youths’ and Boys’ clothing, tweeds, ladies’ dress materials in all the new and fashionable styles, flannels in great variety, French silk dresses colored and black. These goods have been purchased previous to the rise in wool, consequently they are being sold at a very cheap rate, wholesale and retail, and can be seen at his private residence Southside. To arrive shortly a large parcel of cutlery of all kinds. [Advt.] The new reading room of the Blenheim Literary Institute is to be opened on Monday next —Easter Monday—with a conversazione and exhibition of works of Art. As previously notified in our columns, Mr Inspector Smith will exhibit his London Art Union prize picture, and Mr Lawrence some very pretty statuettes from Sydney. Others who possess articles suitable for the occasion will, we hope, co-operate in the movement. The evening will be enlivened with music and singing, and a pleasant time will no doubt be spent by those present, who will also have the satisfaction of knowing that by their presence and support they are assisting a very useful Institution.

A Poser. —A parson who had been reproving one of his elders for over indulgence, observed a cow go down to a stream, take a drink and then turn away. “There,” said he to his offending elder, “is an example for you. The cow lias quenched her thirst, and has retired.” “ Yes,” replied the other “ That is very true. But suppose another cow had come to the other side of the stream and had said, ‘Here’s to you,’ there’s no saying how long they would have gone on.”

The ex-Premier (says the “Loafer in the Street ”) has, on more than one occasion, had reason to utter the oft repeated wish, “save me from my friends,” but what will the old man say when he reads his reirarks as reported by the leading Auckland paper, Gecrge was speaking as a founder of a college to avery high toned audience, and this is what the wretched printer makes the old man say, “Let us reflect for a moment what a celestial gift this life is if rightly used. Life, if we will it, is a beneficient immorality.” Poor George, I do honestly believe, meant immortality, and, for several reasons, I do think it’s real rough on him that he should have been so misconstrued. He has the right of reply, however, and what a sweet boon that is to Sir Geo :ge Grey. Her Majesty’s interest in the Zulu war has been shown in a very sympathetic and touching manner. Lately many noblemen and gentlemen and their ladies were favored with the view at Buckingham palace of a splendid silver gilt casket ordered by the Queen. In this were placed lockets of pure gold, containing locks of hair of thirteen officers who fell at Rorke’s Drift, each locket being engraved with an “In Memoriam ” and the name of the officer, together with the date of his melancholy death. The casket is in the shape of a G reek cross, and the lockets are arranged in that form. Messrs. Harvey, Coekburn and Co. her Majesty’s jewellers, who have executed the work have been authorised by her Majesty to receive and treat in a similar mauuer any like relic or souvenir of officers or men who fell in the South African campaign.

In South Australia an incident occurred which shows the indifferent shootists they have amongst their Rifle Clubs, While everal of; leir marl: men and a captain were firing at a recent contest at Be 'der r ’own, a kangaroo, on his way to dinuer, quietly sauntered across the range, a out If ) yards from the target. The m ksmen stood amazed, probably the appeaui ce of such an uncommon animal, or perhaps astonished at his cheek, in coming within aim of their never-missing rifles. Equal to any emergency, a sergeant at length took steady aim at the fifth rib on the left side of the marsupial—and missed. The visitor kept on the tenor of his way, seeming to like the little excitement caused by a bullet going near him. South Australia expected evei/ man to do his duty, and Pie capt.fi. i and ea< t of the marksmen slowly id carefully imed, much to the amusement of their a rget, who went on unalanned. Rep rt says that that kangaroo is going round looking for those marks me i, but that they won’t come out to meet him.”

A rather smusing incident occurred the other evening in Masterton, says the Wellington Times. It appears that an unfortunate debtor there had “the man in possession ”as an unwelcome guest at his house for a night or two, and getting tired of him suggested, during a quite game of cards, that a beer would do them no harm, and induced the bailiff to go and fetch the liquor. Meanwhile the debtor fastened doors and windows and prepared for a siege, but was heartily digusted to find the limb of the law in a very short time make entrance again by descending the chimney. Previously to doing this, Mr Bailiff, with careful regard for his habliments and the majesty of the law, had impressed a small boy to get down the chimney and open the door, but the adventurous youth went down the wrong one, much to the astonishment of an adjoining tenement. We give this story as told us by a traveller, who vouches for its auccracy.

At the Notts Country Sessions, on the 17th January, Henry Fisher and George Hackett, the latter a boy, were charged, under seperate summonses, with assaulting the Rev Thomas Ratcliffe, the Rector of Stapleford, near Nottingham. It appeared from the evidence that ill-feeling against the complainant had recently been displayed. On the day in question, when he went to officate at the funeral of a parishioner, he found the churchyard full of people, some of whom threw turf at him, Knocking off his hat. On other occasions while engaged in funeral ceremonies he had been insulted by boys, and he alleged that the younger defendant threw stones at him. For the defence a number of witnesses were called, including one of the churchwardens, who said that on the day in question the Rector was so much under the influence of drink that he had to be assisted in the performance of the service. This the complainant denied, stating he had been an absrainer for years. After hearing the evidence the Bench dismissed both the summonses, as there was no evidence to show that the defendants had committed the assault complained of.

Not worth it.—‘Well, how are you? ’ inquired a doctor, as he stood by the armchair of his patient, an old man, who was troubled with deafness. ‘Oh, very bad!’ was the reply; 'I can scarcely hear a sound. ‘Well,’ remarked the doctor, ‘you know how often I have impressed upon you that you must gjve up spirits. Do that and you will get all right. And away he went. A fortnight later he paid his patent another visit, and inquired after his rilment. ‘You don’t need to si- it so, doc ,o said the old man irascibly; I nave * allowed your ad-\ 'ce have given up my grog, and can hear perfectly.’ A week later the medica' man paid his patient yet anol ;er visit; d found him almost s one-deaf < ce more. ‘Ah, ’ said the former, T suppose you have been indulgng a ain?’ ‘vVell doctor,’ answered the patient, 'I must confess I have for I didn’t t nsid r all that I head worth a single g S 3 of brandy and water!’’ “ All Europe,” says the New York Journal of Commerce, “seem to be under the strain of a vague alarm. The possibilities of new combinations which may soon involve all Europe in a fierce struggle are not to be overlooked. At no time previously have many so pr paratiors bee i made, or has a greater military act! vity been manifested, and tl e financ'-.l stra on tl e recources of ch na c i of Eure 3 is overwhelming. The toi v feed and c ithe the vast standing aimies, and S'nd ei son 3, husbands, brothe :to si y a Ito be slain. The time will co ne wl sn the masses will refuse to fight for their rulers’ ambitious and petty jealousies. The standing armies of Europe are her danger and her curse. France alone keeps ove •',00,000 soldiers on call, and a- ds a r iraber ysa ly. The enormous e tense of the Prussian Budget has been si'ch that Here is a deficit for 18S0 of §10, 5< 1,000, aid n;w cis om dut'e3 and tar :s are eveiy ’in ;levid. Me; lwhile in America the g as js grow, and ripen, and our newspapers and people quarrel over our corporal guard of an army. Our lines have fallen in peaceful and pleasant places.”

It is not often that a bankrupt gets a farewell address from his generous creditors. We (Bruce Herald) can vouch for the correctness of the following memorandum attached to a debtor’s schedule, and signed by the Chairman at the final meeting of creditors: “We are unanimous in the opinion that the debtor is a rogue, but; that it would cost too much money to prosecute him.”

Young man, don’t swear. Swearing never was good for a sore finger. It never cured the rheumatism, nor helped to draw a prize in a lottery. It isn’t recommended for liver complaint. It isn’t sure against lightning, sewing machine agents, nor any of the ills which beset people through life. There is no occasion for swearing outside of a newspaper office, where it is useful in proofreading, and indispensably necessary in getting formes to press. It has been known also to materially assist the editor in looking over the paper after it is printed. But otherwise it is a very foolish habit.

The New Zealan l Wesleyan gives the following:—“ If it were possible to secure a return of the quantity and quality of the literature that constitutes the mental pabulum of the New Zealand Methodists, I have an idea that it would reveal some curious and interesting facts. One curious fact would be that there is even y-'t a la"ge number of New Zealand Methodists who are so far neglectful of their privileges as not to take in the New Zealand Wesleyai, and another curious fact would be that a great many who do take in the Wesley n are, as far as they are concerned, lea iig the printer to whistle for his money.

Among several unpublished anecdotes of the Emperor Nicholas, related by a Russian contemporary, is the following:One day the Emperor, who was one of the Strict-st and most inflexible of disciplinarians. met, in a street of St. Petersburg a drunken dragoon, who was riding in a droschky any angrily asked the soldier what he was doing. The imminence of his danger partially sobered the latter. He rose in his carriage drew his soword, and saluting the Czar, said: “I’m taking a drunken soldier to the guardroom, your Majesty.” The Emperor Nicholas smiled gave the soldier a five-rouble piece, and told the coachman to drive him, not to the guard room, but home.

Madame Carlotta Patti has received quite an ovation at the hands of the musical people of Sydney. The local papers speak of her first performance with enthusiasm. “Marvellous,” says one critic, “is the only word to describe the effect she produces; dashing of roulades with a rich fulness in the lower notes, a most delicate piano instantly changing to a powerful forte and vice versa, a shake which in quality aud tone is perfect and ever varying, and in quality almost interminable echo bits aud fairy-like phrases which are startling in their very delicacy.” We should have called this panegyric rather thau criticism. The performance must be a great one of which the half of all this could be said with perfect truthfulness.

Asad death by lightning occurred at Sandhurst, Victoria, A man named Martin Moloney a platelayer on the line was engaged with three others at the place mentioned. At the time stated, the men were at dinner. The deceased and a man named Isaac Griffiths were sitting on the trolly that had been removed from the rails, the wheels having been placed at each end. A thunderstorm came on, and the two meD decided to go into a culvert, but just afterwards a flash of lightning came, striking Moloney and killing him instantaneously. Griffiths was also affected by the stroke, and was rendered insensible for a few minutes. He sustained no serious injury, but his escape was almost miraculous. Moloney’s clothes were torn to shreds. His hat could not be found, and the heels of a heavy pair of blucher boots which he wore were dragged completely off. The ballast on the line was also torn up. The injuries to the unfortunate man were described as shocking. The outside skin on being pressed by the fingers peeled off, the face was discolored, blood was issuing from both ears and the nostrils, the hair was singed off the back of the head, the left leg was broken, both bones being shattered into fragments, both heels were lacerated as if by a knife, and all the bones in lower parts were ground up. Two other men, who were eating their dinner in the culvert, a few yards off, felt the shock, but were not injured. The ganger, Thomas Sharpe, who had charge of the men, and who was engaged in diverting the course of a water channel was knocked into the water but he recovered almost immediately. Not more than a minute elapsed afte. the shock before Moloney was found dead.

A Strange Story,—The writer of Zigzag Papers in the Sydney Echo relates the following:—Almost every day some incident occurs proving that fact is as strange if not stranger than fiction. About tw .ty ycr s ago the bridegroom of a few weeks went to the far north of Queensland, there to make ahomeforhis young wife, whom he had married on faith and love. By dint of haix. toil and perseverance he succeeded in le. . than twelve months in realising the obj ‘ J in view and full of joyfol anticipations lie was about to start to this colony on the happy mission of claiming his beloved from her parents, and bringing her back to the home he had provided. He had hardly set out on his jonrney when he received the mournful tidings that she on whom, all his hopes were concentrated Was deed. Almost stunned by the cruel and unexpected blow, the bereaved husband set out for Europe, and continued a cheerless wanderer _or many years, when he finally settled down in Victoria, and by the merest chance met a young lady at the house of a mutual friend, whom to his surprise and joy he discovered was his own daughter. The parents of his wife had never told of the child’s, birth, dreading that she might be taken from them.

How a country hawker settled his “ little bill ” with a reclcitrant debtor is thus related by the SuuMand Times :— “ A hawker well-known in Invercargill and surrounding districts, has had some little difficulty lately in collecting sundry small sums of money owing him. He, however, made an example of a “young man without encumbrance” a few days ago. The hawker is in the habit of travelling round the country every seven or eight weeks, and often “ trusts ” persons, especially station hands. On one occasion he booked a suit of clothes to a young fellow who promised to pay in a month. At the expiration of that time the hawker asked for his money. The man, who was wearing the clothes, when asked for payment, replied that he had no money, and intending “filing.” This was too much for the hawker, and as, the saying is, he “ went for him.” . He hitched up his horse, took off his coat and hat, stepped up to the debtor, and ordered him to take oil his clothes; This request of course was not complied with. The"hawker then gripped his man, and tore the clothes completely off him and left him ruminating amongst the tussocks with a full receipt. There ‘are several more to be treated in same way.

During the late heavy rain a landslip occurred on the Kaituna road between the Wairau river aud Dickson’s, which stopped wheel traffic for some hours and brought the Havelock coach to a standstill for a short time, but Mr Pickeridg was equal to the occasion. The horses were taken out and the coach dragged over by the men who were at work removing the debris, assisted by the passengers, and the rest of the journey was accomplished without further mishap. The low lying lands in the vicinity of Mr Gibson’s and the surrounding farms have been inundated, but the Wairau river has not risen much and horse and wheel traffic across it has not been interrupted.

“ Sarah, this going out ince3sautly I cannot have; next Sunday you m:.st stay at iome a:l day.’ ‘ But, ma’am, I have promised i: y aunt to spend the afternoon with her.’ Sonny, interceding : ‘Dolet her go, 1 lamina ; her aunt has been made a sergeant, and has got a new coat with stripes on it, and a great long sword.’ What People Smoke Now. —A cunning old man of disreputable antecedents has nonplussed a Bench of county magistrates at Retford. He was charged by the officers of Inland Revenue with selling unlicensed cigars. He asked the magistrates to read the Act of Parliament, and tell him whether front first to last, there was a word about cigars. He sustained his point. Not to be baffled, the revenue officer reminded i m Bench that, if the Act did not speak of cigars, it spoke of tobacco and cigars were a formcf tobacco. The aid man rejoined that his cigars were made of bay and cabbageleaves, and that he would defy any one to find an atom of tobacco in them. The complaint was dismissed. Among the curiosities of the exhibition is a museum fitted up by a young lady. This contains various mineral specimens, a copy of a letter —produced with all the quaintnes of writing and spelling—written by Anne Boleyn in 1519, before she married Henry VIII; early records of Port Philip ; autographs of celebrated persons, includiqg Sir J. T. H. Manners Sutton, Sir C. Gavan Duffy, Sir Samuel Wilson—who is said to be the owner or occupier of onefif euth of the land in Vicrona—and of many other leading colonists ; a copy of the original draft of American independence ; the Tim is newspaper, 1821. Panama Canal—The French Government officially denies any respoDsiblity for Baron De Lesseps’ inter oceanic canal scheme, as no political significance is attached to the plan. These declarations avert any pretext for international complications which before were considered probable. The New York Commercial Bulletin in an elaborate article, shows that De Lesseps’ Canal Scheme is chimeicailand the tonnage passing through it at 4dols per ton, as proposed, would fail by 6,6' .0,0( Idols to meet the annual interest and charges, to say nothing of working expenses. The calculation is bused on an estimated cost of 260,000,01 ), dols, and the tonnage passing through yearly at from two am a-ha 'to three millions.

Mr William Bassett, dating from Newlyn, writes to the Bendigo Independent: — “The following statement of fact I consider worth your readers’ notice. I have been the proprietor of a steam threshingmachine for the past 10 years. My attention was a day or two ago directed to a number of farmers who gathered around my machine while engaged on the farm of Mr John Nance, Newlyn, to see for themselves the return from a new kind of oats, for the first season grown in Victoria, and called the Danish oat, the seed being imported from New Zealand. To the surprise of all, the result was the astonishing yield of 104 bushels per acre ; a paddock of six and a-half acres (I have no doubt as to the correctness of the area) gave 676 bushels. I have made close inquiries about the crop in question, and from what I can learn, I certainly believe all that I have written to be correct.”

The following advertisements are taken from an exchange “ The gentleman who sat down on a cream pie in a market-street car on Christmas Eve, is known to the lady who had just purchased it, and even though he may have no rega.xl for the 1 ungry orphans for whom it was destined, he is urged to at once remit 30s and the e. pc ice of this advertiseme it to the busi less o dee of this paper, to sve the expo. :e which i .'1 follow ..is disgusting coi d’ ct.” Right - derner eh it, this Janus of a journal evid itly a epts the money of the other side, as the ibjoined will testify : “If the slightly intoxicated lady who allowed a ge itleman to spoil a £2 pair of beaver pants b • placing a lot of slush, wrapped up in a piece of paper, on the seat he was about to occupy, does not immediately remit that amount to the care of A. 8., at this office, a full account of the affair will shortly be given to the Press.” A lady w'ho has unfortunately a very shrill voice and little ear for music was summoned for * vex : ng, tro ibling, and dis-' quieting ’ the Vic r of St. John’s Parish Church, Pl' .ipstead, by joining in the cl i 1 portion of the service ‘ at the utn i st pitch of her voice,’ the annoyance bein" so great tl' t rt one time he had though of closing the church altogether, and leaving the church ardens to write to the bishop. The defendant protested that s’, e had no in 4 ntio i to annoy, her whole heart was in the services, a id for twentyseven years she had si lg in the church, and no compliant was made until the choir came. She had never been complained of at other ch 'chcs, and at the parish church the choir brol e down a great deal more when she did not sing than when she did. The summons was ultimately adjourned for a month to see if the annoyance ceased, the defendant being told that she was liable to a fine of £5, or two months’ imprisonment.”