PLAYING AT PARLIAMENT.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 7, Issue 380, 5 August 1884, Page 2

PLAYING AT PARLIAMENT.

Ea t en the greatest minds can unbend and condescend at rare intervals to take cognisance of the paltry affairs of humbler mortals. So the gods in j ancient times left their high estate and, assuming human appearance, became for tho time animated by the j same feelings which characterised ordinary mundane inhabitants. So Mr Stout, emulating no doubt, the mighty heroes — demigods — whose j traditionary history yet dwells in Ultima Thule has consented to lay aside his forensic dignity and become for a time a mere Governor. How the groundlings must have laughed when In awful state The god-like hero sat and laid down the methods by which the emancipation of the human race -at least the female portion of it— was to be attained. The actors in the mimic parliament which sat in Dunedin on Saturday night for the first time must have been reminded of that scene iv Guy Mannbbixg when Colonel Mannering. and Dandte DINMONT surprised the lawyer playing. " High Jinks " on a Saturday night Here is the scene : — Mr ri/ETDELL was a lively sharp-looking ffontleman, with a professional _hiewdne--s in his eye, and,generally speakings professional formality in his manners. Uut this. . . . . he could slip off on a Saturday evening Whon surrounded by a party of jolly companions, and disposed for what he called his altitudes. On the present occasion, the revel had last since four o'olork, and at length, uuder the direction of a venerable cnmpot-i---tor who had shared the sports and festivities of three generations, the frolicsome company had begun to practise tho ancient and now forgotten game of "High Jiuks,'' ... . ■ If they departed from the ohara-.-tor*. assumed, or if their memory provub, treacliet'ou.i»Wfep.etj]tion, they incurred forfeits, which were either cornpouuded for by sual- , . „an additional bumper, or by payin. a iowjri . avC - g th© reckoning.. , , . . amaUsumto.. 4,up _, tJJ . Ji , ttoll HS , ye h-.ye -dr Councillor i L^ lAmjjI Amj j % moi.arch described him, Jwas em h^ ---^luiilfif t'lMe, in an elbow eh-dr, placed on ilie **-*n*ed his scratch wig on o*ie bide, his head ok. >vith a l>ottle-sli(ier, hi 3 eye leering witn an exp e3r_;>ii between fun and the effects of winp, while his court around him resounded wilh such ervmbosemps of verse as these : - Where is Gerunto now ? and what's become of him ! Gerunto's drowned because he could not swim, etc., etc. Such, O Themis, were anciently the sports of thy Scottish children. In ?uch sublime fooling do out j embyro lawmakers spend theij: leisure j hours* j

It is reported that Mr James Green, late member for Waikouaiti, intends to petition , to unseat Mr Buckland. Mr M. W. Green denies that the report which appeared in the last issue of this paper to the effect that he was about to leavo ..this colony, is correct. The Mimic Parliament was opened in Dunedin very successfully on Saturday night, Mr Robert Stout enacted the part of Governor, and opened the session with an address. A co-operative company, on a large scale and of especial interest to farmers, is about being floated in Dunedin. Mr Henry Driver is likely to be offered the management of the company. Mr Alpheus Hayes, late proprietor of the Mable sawmill, was entertained at dinner on Thursday evening by his late employes at Gold's Railway Hotel, Woodlands. He appears to have gained the good will of all the inhabitants of the District. Mr M'Pherson succeeds him in the proprietorship of the mill. A bazaar is to be held shortly at Mataura in aid of the Completion Fund of the English Church there. This building as it now stands is free of debt, but it is unlined and unfurnished. The matter has been warmly taken up by the ladies of the congregation, who have decided to hold the bazaar at Mataura during I the month of October, and have divided the district between them for the purpose of making a canvass for the requisite articles. We wish them every success in their ;undertaking. ' Latest news from Foo Chow states that considerable alarm'prevails; there 'owing to the fear thatthe French fleet intend to bombard the town. All the English ladies and child - ren have embarked on board vessels in the port, and most of the foreign residents are leaving. A detachment of marines from the British men of war has been landed to afford , ■ protection to the English residents in case of necessity. The masters of the Auckland public schools on the day of the general elections closed thej schools under their charge and this' is what they got for their trouble : — The Education Board have jdecided to reprimand the head master of Wellesley street school, re unauthorised holidays, and to deal with the teachers who dismissed their schools on the polling clay of the general elections, afc next meeting. His Worship the Mayor of Invercargill on Friday morning entered into the.'fconds ,of holy matrimony. The secret had been perhaps too well kept, although the ' Southland Times ' learns that many guests were assembled at the house of the bride's father, Mr Nicholas! Johnson, in the morning, when the wedding, took place. Soon after the ceremony, the happy couple drove to Clifton, and there took the train for.the Bluff, whence they were to start oh a trip to Melbourne by way of Hobart. At the next meeting of the Gore Town Board Commissioner F. S; Canning will move: " That tenders be called for the herding of milch cows— during the day, at per head, for twelve months — the property of ratepayers residing within the Gore town district, on the following conditions, viz : — The herd to take delivery of each cow after being milked each morning, say 9 a.m., and deliver each cow on or before 5 p.m., each day to its owner. The herd to impound all cattle not under his charge found running within the Gore town district, aud all costs recoverable thereupon to be retained by the herd as payment for his trouble in connection with impounding." A meeting of the settlers in the Tuturau and Wairakiki districts was held at Mr Curries house on Friday evening, 25th uit., for tho purposeF'of taking steps to have a school established in their midst. Mr Fraser was appointed chairman. It transpired at the meeting that there were 26 children of school age who were deprived of suitable education, as the distance to the nearest i school— at Mataura Bridge — was eight miles J and it was impossible to send children that distance except on horseback, which was not at ali times practicable. Mr M'Cartney said three of his children rode to Mataura Bridge School, and some evenings when they returned they were so cold and benumbed that they had to be assisted off the horse. It was unanimously resolved to petition the Southland Education Board, asking them to erect a school near the Wairakiki bridge opposite Mr James Crawford's farm, this being considered the most suitable and most central site for all parties. Mr John Scott and Mr Currie stated that they had signed a petition for a school to be erected near Mr Paget's, but would withdraw their support from that quarter, as at the time thej signed the petition they were not aware that there were ' so many children of school age. in the Wairakiki district,and the proposed school would be more suitable for them, The chairman kindly consented to write to the Education Board and ascertain what was necessary to be done. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the meeting. News was received (says an exchange) by Superintendent Inspector Bayley from Inspector Fullerton of the successful turning out of the shipment of stoats and weasels recently imported by the Rabbit Department from the Old Country. The stoats were turned out on the southern and eastern shores of Lake Hawea, near the boundary of Canterbury and Otago, and the weasels between Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea. Both places are peculiarly well adapted for the purpose, being blocks of country completely er closed by either lake or stream, with plenty of food, and far away from rabbitcrs. Another reason appears also to have conduced to the selection of the spot by the Rabbit Department— namely, that it is thought that the wave of rabbits from the south is making towards the north ; and if tho stoats aud weasels only progress , as it is thought, the rabbits will be met by industrious foes on reaching the Canterbury ' boundary, and as they advance so will their enemies wilh them. Mr Allbones, who brought tlie shipment out from England, managed to see to their liberation and catch the Doric, in which he returns to England 1 to procure another shipment. When first engaged Mr Allbonos was offered a bonus of [ L 5 a head for tvery stoat or weasel he i landed in the Colony. Thinking, howevor 1 that ihe risk 0 f success was so great he ' declined the offer, and accepted a weekly sidiUy wiih a* bonus of 5. a h«ad for all he ' *- li he had accepted the first offer, as i brougiu. - moved, he would have mtide j events have sine. . •* onil jj C shipment ; , a clear profit of over LOOu •"■nmely as it is, however, he haa boen hanu. J > recouped for his trouble. Inspector Fullerton slates that v\hcn the boxes were opened the animals ran out of them and appeared quite as lively as if they had never experienced a long sea. voyase and close confinement. Tlie a vera*. e cost per stoat ov weasel to the Dej-artmeut djd not exceed j U lto,

Cholera has made its appearance in two different places in Russia, but it is pronounced to be of a mild type. The Dunedin Jockey Club has raised -the Dunedin Cup to 1000 soys., aad the J. C . Handicap to 400 soys : these events are-riui at the February meetings. \, .■) In reply to a telegram, Sir Julius Yogel in-*; forms the 'Otago Daily Times ' that there"* absolutely no truth in the statement that he has submitted proposals to Sir George Grey for a coalition, Mr G. F. Richardson, M.H.R. for Mataura, and Mr Hirst, M.H.R. for Wallace, were pas sengers by the North express yesterday. The Ringarooma leaves Port Chalmers to-day. on a special trip' to Wellington in order to 'convey the Southern members thither. It would seem that there is someone in Dunedin cowardly enough to send threatening letters anonymously. A reward of LSO is offered for such information as will lead to the detection of the person who sent a letter signed " Assassinator." Prince Albert Victor made a speech at Cambridge; the otlier week on the poor of East London. The speech was very wishywashy, but was received with great cheers. It was the first speech of' a young man who will probably be King of England some day. The Dipton Ploughing Match was hold on Friday last in a paddock belonging to Mr Hassel. The following is the prize list : — Double-furrows : 1, R. Patterson , 2, H* Smeardon ;3, J. Lang ; i, J. Clark. Swing Ploughs : I,'W. Gray ; 2, Jas. "-Fleming ; 3, R. Kerr. A large of special prizes were also given. . Last Saturday was the first since the football season opened that the usual scratch match was not played. The weather was very stormy and five or six enthusiasts ventured out. They, however, indulged: themselves in kicking practice at goal,until forced to retire. '.The election of deputy captain was postponed till next Saturday. A conference between Mr Milner Stephen, the magnetic healer, and three medical mentook place at Dunedin ou Thursday, ebneerning an alleged case of cure of internal cancer in a woman. The doct*rs were shown the cancerous growth preserved in a bottle, but required personal inspection of the woman. On this being granted, one of the medical men pronounced the • cancer to have . spread since his previous examination, and to be in no way evi'red. .- • The Resident Magistrate at-Wellington-had*-recently to decide a rather peculiar pointPayment of part of an account was .esisted because a silk wedding-dress had been too expensively trimmed. The dress was duly produced in Court, and the magistrate (who according to the local ' Times,' should be an expert and high authority on such: matters) decided that the wedding garment was not by. any means too elaborately got up for (such an important occasion. The Australian Cricketers won the; match against the team of Players by nine , pickets. Before the conclusion of the match the crowd assembled tp wi'cness thejilay took umbrage at an adjournment for lunch taking . place when only 11 runs were required by the Australians to win the match. . The' ground was, rushed ahd the Colonials were hooted, the services of the police having to be called in to clear the pround before play could be resumed. According to the 'Lyttelton Tikes,' a dressmaker employed in one of the' largest drapery establishments in Christchurch has been driven out of her senses by religious hysteria, aggravated by the Salvation services, at which the young woman [was an enthusiastic attendant. The break-uji of __dr reason was sudden, and manifested itself in a form which was likely to lead to much unpleasantness, had not restraint been immediately enforced. The unfortunate girl is now an inmate of Sunnyside. Her affliction is so violent that she has to be placed in a padded room. Mr Souness informs "Mazeppa" of the ** Saturday Advertiser ' that he intends to give up racing for a while, and that he has leased his mare Water Nymph to Mr Taggart for racing purposes. Water Nymph has grown a good deal since we last saw her in pubiic, and being free from any ailment or blemish she should be a useful animal duriug the coming season. Neither Mr Taggart or Mr Souness act as handicappers for the Dunedin Jockey Club this season, but the names of both _have been placed on the list of stewards. Messrs Sourley and Philip succeed them as handicappers. Sir Henry Loch, the Governor of Victoria,is a tall soldierly-looking man, with irongrey hair and beard, the latter long and flowing. His face at a first glance seems, to indicate a stern and serious character ; but in conversation the hard lines relax, and he becomes as pleasant and sociable as could be wished. Lady Loch is the twin sister of Lady Lytton, wife of the late Viceroy of India. She has a very tall though graceful figure, and her face always wears a pleasan. smile, which gives one the impression that the owner has a kindly heart and a contented mind. The usual weekly meeting of the. Gordon Mutual improvement Society was held in the Presbyteriau Church on Thursday evening. The president, Mr Neill, occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance [[ef members, there being also a few visitors present. Mr J. G. Robertson read a carefuUy prepared and instructive paper on "Physical Forces, ' treating on four of these forces, viz : cohesion, grat it at ion, chemical affinity, and heat. At tne close there was a fair discussion on the paper by several members, and, ; on the motion of Mr Mac Gibbon, Mr Robertson was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. The programme at next meeting. 'will be musical, and at the one after Mr Forbes will read a paper on the " Salvation Army." The effect of tobacco on youth' has, we learn from a London paper, b een reported upon by Dr G. de Caisnc to the Society of Public Medicine. Thirty-eight youths, from nine to fifteen years, all of whom used tobacco, were placed under his care foxobservation. Twenty-five of them showed distinct disturbance of the action of the heart, deficiency of digestion, sluggishness' Of intellect, and craying for alcoholic drinks. Ju thirteen there were intermittent pulse ; in eight the red blood coypusojes were gre* duced in numbor ; twelve had frequent ( nose-bleeding ; ten su-ferod constantly from nightmare ; four had ulcerated mouths, and one developed consumption from deteriora* I tion of blood, caused by the long continued | uso of tobacco. The better.fed children " "*vl kast. Eleven had smoked for six suffei. »._ o]aQ year, and sixteen for mouths, eight fo. c , were in . S^tojTupSSS,^ were tt-tOftd to htuhla six months, and the others at he end of a year, but after much suffering and the los? ' ,9. JM.9 #»4 ™P aired growth.

A gathering of all the curling clans of t" c , interior is being arranged to take place at Naseby to-day, The district abput Naseby has been, it is said, convertefrjinfo a^veritable Lapland for the nonce. '"' > •-, ">->.. „ SmalUpox seems to be spreading .ih Australia. . A report has reached ;_t_elpourhc that the dreaded disease lias, made its^'.'sippearence at Bordertmvri.-on thei boundary line between i Victoria an I South i Australia,' where two police troopers have been, attaoked with-.: a disease which is believed to be truejvaribla. ' Further cases of small-pox are also reported, | in the suburbs of Melbouvne.but worst of -all a case has occurred in the heart of the city and fears are entertained that the infection may spread. It is understood that extra stringent measures will be taken to prevent the disease spreading toNcwZcaland, but that the Government will not enforce gcnornl quarantine. . . The. Case Campbell ,v. Cameron, claim, Lls 10s Bd. adjourned from Lumsden, was heard on Friday at Invercargill. Plaintiff was a rabbiter at Benmore station, and defendant was manager. The plaintiff had brought a number of skins on June Ist, which defendant would not take delivery of> alleging that no poison was to be used before June 10th, and that most of the skins in question were poisoned. ■ Plaintiff i denied the existence of any restriction as to time Over the settlement some hot words ensued, and plaintiff left. Shortly afterwards he gave Mr Whitaker, storekeeper, an order on defendant, who would only honor it . to the extent of L 7 8s Id, which he stated to be, the value of those pf the skins which wquld be taken. Judgment was given for L 9' 9s 9d, being value of the skins as classified; and * a small balance on current, account. The positions of plaintiff and defendant were reversed in another action — for trespass. L2O was claimed as damage sustained by defendant, having laid poison without permission! After hearing, parties, his Worship did not think there had been any trespass. There had not been sufficient evidence to substantiate; any, of the points. He did not think there had. been any restriction about the use of poison. It appeared to be a recognised mode of destroying rabbits all the year round. .It had not been sufficiently proved that defendant did lay poison on the . Benmore land,' arid it was not clear that the sheep spoken of died from eating poisoned grain laid by defendant: Judgment for. defendant, with costs, L 6 13s. 7 ' ''''''

Two houses are to let in Gordon. : Mac Gibbon and Sons insert an acdount: ' "The* National' Mortgage' Company, have several farms for sale. - . A 1 grand concert and dance will be held at Pukerau, on August 8. ;' The intended transfer of a deferred-pay-ment section is notified. • •.■}■• The Knapdale Annual Ploughing - Match takes place on August 15th. ; J Intimation is made regarding a lec'turp dn " Music " in ; the Town Hall on 2nd September. * " * A meeting of the Mataura Anglican Church, congregation will be held on Fridayj on the evening of which day also the Gore , Gospel . Temperance Society will be addressed by an Invercargill clergyman. ; ■ , The three Gore auctioneering firms announce sales for Saturday next — Green and Souness, horses, etc. ; F.,;.5. Canning knd Co., , trees and jewellery ; and . 1 ., S. Simson, j ' sheep. ; Carswell} White and Co. sell to-day | at Edendale, fat i 'stock; iand 1 Scott, Prentice and Co, a farm at Fortrose on August 13. Asiatic Cholera in New Zealand, !— -Tho' ladies of 'Goi*e, Gordon, and' surrounding districts, are respectfully notified that they, can purchase the balance of our trimmed hats, dolman ulsters, ulsters, and jackets, at even less than cost price, cash down. "We are about to take stock, and will give every inducement to cesh purchasers ; but the above-mentioned special lines we. promise and pledge our word tO >■ 3fc.il, -to. any of our : cus.topiers : ait not 6*rer wholesale cost price. — J. Mac Gibbon and Sons..