Marlborough Times. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16,1880.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 173, 16 November 1880, Page 2

Marlborough Times. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16,1880.

Aon the local journals have on previous occasions called attention to the Marlborough Art Festival which it is proposed to bold at Picton next Christmas. The time is now approaching, and, from what we hear, the responses to these calls up to the present time have not been so numerous as the friends and supporters of the undertaking could wish. "We therefore again would point out to our readers, and especially to parents, guardians, and schoolmasters the de-

sirability of their aiding the object in view, namely, by a friendly system of competition to induce all persons, and especially those possessing undeveloped or unused talents, to exert them for the benefit of themselves and others. Prizes are offered for competition under a great variety of classes, as set forth in the prospectus, and we have seen a long list of articles now on their Way from London to be distribe ted as prizes, which shows that ; the Committee have faithfully per- \ formed this part of the undertaking. We are rather surprised to hear that | so far few schoolmasters have availed j themselves of the offers made by the promoters to give certain prizes for |

I competition at each public school, and | in order to give greater inducement to children to compete for these p r ; zes the Committee otters to distribute these prizes to the children at Picton on the Festival day, and to pay tln> travelling expenses of the successful youths who go there to receive t] l( , rewards of their good conduct, labor and sicill. If the masters of the schools, or others having the care of the children, object to sending them to Picton, arrangements will be made to send the prizes to the different schools for distribution. It is a curious fact that people outside Marlj borough appreciate the idea of holdiiw j this Festival more than those, within its boundaries, and several applications have been made from other Provincial districts to be allowed to compete for the prizes, but according to the published Rules prizes can onlv be given to persons residing in the Counties of Marlborough ami the Sounds, and those requests from outside have been negatived. To persons who really take an interest in education a line opportunity is ottered of practising what Hi y preach by subscribing to the object in view and by encouraging it by every means in their power, and thus enabling the Committee to realise the hope of planting in many homes a prize memorial of success which will act as a stimulus to future exertion, and always call pleasant recollections all through life. Any boy or girl v. ho gets a certificate from the head master or mistress of his or her school of being first for general proficiency will receive a prize

which, whatever may he its intrinsic worth, will be a valuable testimonial for after years, purchasable by no money. The same may be said of the good conduct prize, and of the majority of the other rewards. One of the most useful accomplishments to be taught by any system of Education, and one in which proficiency is comparatively seldom obtained, is to write the English language correctly and grammatically. The prizes offered for the best tale or Christmas story, open to persons of both sexes not exceeding twenty-one years of age, ought to draw out what literary talent there is amongst the rising generation around us. We should be heartily pleased to see a son or daughter of New Zealand producing an original story worthv of publication and perusal. It is a field as yet untried by our colonial youths, but there is no reason why some of them should not succeed in it if they like; to try. It would he a great honor to Marlborough if one of her public schools sent up a successful competitor in this line. We refer our readers to the advertisements which have appeared in reference to this Art Festival, and to the Rules and Regulations published respecting it, which have been circulated throughout the province, and any further information can he obtained from any member of the Committee, or from the local agents, Messrs J. M- Hutchison, Litchfield and Son, 11. L. N. Clarke (Havelock), etc. We hope that all success will attend the undertaking.

A Coaimn'TKs. meeting in connection with the Friendly Societies’Sports was held at lmsn s Hotel on Friday evennm, when accounts were settled. The vexed (piestioii whether the silver cup, the prize to be given to the champion athlete of the day, should be awarded to Murphy or Wyatt, was brought on and decided in favor of Murphy. As this matter created a good deal of interest amongst the outside public, and as our evening contemporary would be represented by the Secretary, we asked our Reporter to bo present, and he went accordingly. At the commencement of the proceedings, the Chairman, Mr. John T. Robinson, said before business was proceeded with be had a statement to make to the meeting. Mr. Fitzwilliam Terry thereupon asked if the proceedings were to be public? The Chairman said ho hoped so; on all settling days after race meetings reporters were usually present here. Mr. Fitzwilliam 'Perry said lie knew the reason why Mr. Robinson hod hroiojht a certain | gentleman there; he (Mr. Fitzwilliam 'Perry) did not object to the repre- ! sentatives of the Press being present, but it they were, he wanted a reporter of his own, as lie could, no/, expert justice /Vow a nifin who wns so notorioHshj op/ioseil to hint os to pros/i/n/c (he. Press to mol'd him (Fit:wi/liom Terr;/J ridiadotts ot ii mco/intj of t/w North II ard electors. Now, this is not only grossly untrue, but comes with very bad grace from a man whose Reports arc the laughing-stock of the town. The upshot was that a resolution was passed that our Reporter should withdraw, which he did, and what took place afterwards he docs not know, but is informed that the cup was awarded to Murphy. Now the Committee had every right to exclude reporters if they like, but as their Secretary is the reporter of the Express , it seemed hardly fair to exclude the other, especially under the circumstances. The manner in which the Secretary denounced his “opponents” was terrific, or, to coin a word, Trrr;pijir, and if he continued to go on in the same style after our Reporter left as he did before, it is a pity liis rigmarole should be lost. Our vicious and mendacious friend is fond of favoring the public with scraps of law, generally all wrong, AYe will give him one on which we think he will find us right: What lie stated is actionable and were nn action brought, and he did not prove what lie said, he might find himself in trouble.

AYe deeply' regret to bear of the sudden death yesterday, at his station, Awatere, of Mr. Andrew J. Richmond, the wellknown and popular member for Nelson suburbs in the House of Representatives. Deceased, who was about fifty years of age, was the son of the Hon. .Major Richmom 1 , a member of the Legislative Council, ami ter many' years Chairman of Committees in that House. Although Mr. Richmond lived in Nelson, be was looked upon as a .Marlborough settler, having a large sheep station in the Awatere. From his genial character and kindness of heart, Mr. Richmond was deservedly esteemed, and the news of Ins death will be received with sincere sorrow by a very wide section of the community.

A sub-leader on Marlborough Wool is held over until next issue. We understand that Mr v\ alkor, of J 'cton the K etary of the eleven Wanderers has’to-day osted a challenge to the Star eleven. , Mr.fohnT. Robinson and Mr Maenlin iilaced 300 young trout yesterday in tlie Opavva river, near the railway bridge, and 0{)() in the Taylor near lialph’s cottage. Mr Me Nab also took 200 to the Kaituna. Or. reference to our advertising columns will be seen the abridged prospectus of the Caswell Sound Marble, Portland Cement, and Mining Company, Limited, the Shaio list of which closes on the loth proximo. At the l’.M. Court, Havelock - , on Saturday last, before W. K. Dive Ks<| , -M’., Robert Whitton was charged with being drunk on Friday night and fined os, and costs 2s. , , , . Some very fine rams arrived by tiain this morning for Mr Charles I ted woo. , o lliverlands. They are 'lasmaman bred and exhibit all the points which commend them to lovers of well bred merinos A summoned meeting of the H.A.8.l ~s. will be held on Saturday next for the purpose of considering a letter from the < hr.stehurch and Otago districts relative to registration and the formation of a Directory in New Zealand. Tendrrs arc invited up to the Sth December for the formation of the Teach road between Havelock and the Black ball, known as the Capo Horn contract, about two miles in length. At a meeting of St. Peters Sunday School teachers held at Mr Vcnnimorc’s, Havelock, on Thursday, Nov. lltli, the followin'' resolution was unanimously passed l’liat the ladies who provided the adult tea in the 'Town Hall, on Tuesday, the 9th instant, he cordially thanked for tlicir kindness in handing over the pioceeds to the Sunday School. \,y c gave received an anonymous letter bearing the Pietou postmark, criticising the c-ieket teams who played in the recent match. It is “ rough ”on the Blenheim men, and, being unaccompanied with the name and address of the writer we, of course, cannot insert it. The Blenheim Volunteers will go through skirmishing drill this evening when a quantity of blank cartridge will be consumed. Wo hope the inhabitants will not think the enemy have arrived. . , W «irc f'ln.d to hour tlmt the (.ticket Clubs of Marlborough are taking the initiative to select a Provincial team to play the Nelson cricketers, who propose to play a match either in Blenheim or l’icton on New Year’s Day. . . , Wc arc informed that a single wicket match will he played shortly at Spring Creek between two of our boys. I lie stakes arc small—four drinks (we hope lemonade.) 'The backers of the challenged arc prepared to bade thch' bojs for as many pounds as the stakes are foi minks, Ihe pitch is one that even the General could not find fault with. . , , The Blenheim Horticultural Society s flprii,rr Show, which takes place to-morrow at Kwart's Hall, promises from what wc hear to surpass any that have prcecileil it, especially as regards cut flovvcis. .1 he number of plants introduced into the district during the past year has been very lar"e and the result will bo seen to-morrow. The weather promises tobc fine, and alaigc influx of visitors from the country may be looked for. , , ... , Wc are glad to hear that the Inspector of Nuisances will shortly commence legal proceedings against those persons who have not cut their hedges, or have the same piojectin" over the footpaths to the annoyance of foot passengers. 'There arc other matters that the Inspector should attend to at the same time, the odours that assail our nostrils in several localities might be comfortably d •onsccl with. . 'l’lie Supreme Court will sit at Blenheim on the 14th proximo, before His Honor the Chief Justice. The eases at present set down for hearing are, Kmanuol Ambrose Simpson, for stealing a horse and saddle, and on the Civil side, GnUiths v. Johnson (libel), and Fell v. Minister of Public Works, a claim for compensation for land taken for railway purposes. Or can Recital. —Wc are glad to learn that °thc members of the Church of the Nativity Choir have another Organ Recital in rehearsal, to be given early in December next. It will lie remembered that their first recital was given in aid of the suflevers by the Remvick Town lire, on which occasion the service was most enjoyable and pleasing to all. it is, now, proposed to give the proceeds ot this recital to the Choir, who, we understand, have in a most praiseworthy manner defrayed the cost of the alteration of their seats (so much needed in the Church), and which is a decided improvement. A meeting of the Law n Lomus l lub was held yes ter dav at Clark s ! lotol, to cousidoi two offers of sites of a paddock to play in. One was offered by the Railway authorities near the Catholic Chilli h, and the other by Mr Hudson, whose offer of about a quarter of an acre off Maxwell Bond, was accepted, and it was agreed to have the ground fenced and made ready for play. The news that Mr. Proctor, the great astronomical lecturer, is coming here has been received with general satisfaction, not only in town, but in the country districts, and we understand that several count!y families intend to he present. If sullicient inducement offers, it is probable that Mr Proctor may be induced to give a thud lecture. We learn from a Tellable private source, and also by telegram, that a company of Nelson merchants has purchased the Anchor Li lie 'of steamers, and all the other properties of tiie late John Symomls lately ollerod for sale. The purchase was concluded by private treaty, and the price is stated at L 14,500. The purchase does not include the ’ p.s. Lyttelton, which vessel will continue to' visit here periodically till disposed of. We heartily congratulate Nelson upon "being «ible to return the valuable trade and connexions which the removal of the steamers would certainly have diverted from her.