South Canterbury Times, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1880. NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2336, 11 September 1880, Page 2

South Canterbury Times, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1880. NEWS OF THE DAY .

The time-ball at the new Government buildings will fall at 12 (noon) on and after Monday first. Star gazing is not always an unprofitable pursuit, judging by the extraordinary success which has attended Mr II A. Proctor’s lectures on “ Astronomy” in Sydney. It was expected that Mr Proctor would have been in Dunedin by this time, but the interest in his lectures remains unabated in the New South Wales capital, and he has even been advised to take the old Exhibition building. For bis first series of lectures nearly 500 guinea course tickets were sold.

Miss Bose Ilanltain Speedy, youngest daughter of the late Major Speedy (who bore such a prominent part in the Abyssinnian war), fell from the roof of a house, where she had mounted to extinguish a chimney that was-on fire; and, after a few days’ illness, died somewhat suddenly on her way to Auckland, whither she was going for medical advice. The young lady was sixteen years old.

Other members of the Civil Service besides the railway employees seem to have good ground for a grievance against the Government in connection with the 10 percent reduction. In all departments, and from high to low, the reduction has been made retrospective—that is to say, notice was given late in August, and the 10 per cent deducted from the Ist of that month. Such a proceeding would certainly not be followed by any private firm in reducing the wages of their servants. If the wages were paid weekly, a week’s notice would be given ; if monthly, a month’s notice. The probability of extensive and payable gold workings being discovered this spring and summer on the West Coast the Haast and Okarito Hirers (says the “ Cromwell Argus ”), is attracting the attention of a considerable number of miners in this district, and one or two parties have already set out on prospecting tours. As the country between the head of the Wan aka Lake and the coast gets clear of snow, doubtless the number of goldseokcrs in this direction will be greatly increased. Recent finds reported at Paringa, Gillespie’s, and other localities have tended to strengthen the faith of experienced miners in the mineral riches of the west coast of this Island from Okarito southward. During the approaching summer the country will-be thoroughly prospected, doubtless with results that will give a new impetus to the gold-mining industry. There are strong indications that a belt of auriferous country extends along through the coast-lino by the Haast Pass to the head of Lake Wanaka, and we should not he surprised to bear shortly of extensive workings throughout this region. Mr G. F. Clulcc though a member of the Geraldine County Council, holds a very poor opinion of that body. At the Tckapo Bridge opening celebration the other day the health and prosperity of the Geraldine County Council was proposed, coupled with the name of Mr Clulce. The latter, in responding, said that he was placed in a most embarrassing position, for while he could thank them most heartily for proposing his own health and prosperity, he was quite opposed to the Geraldine County Council, and as far as he could sec he always should be so. He spoke of a possible future when the Geraldine Council “ would want to go in for large offices and a large staff in Timaru, and for carrying on things on an expensive scale, which must not bo allowed if it could be prevented.” In conclusion Mr Clulce repeated his thanks for the way in which his health had neon drunk-, but said “he could not endorse the wish for health and prosperity to the Geraldine County Council.” Mr Clulee deserves to be congratulated for speaking out his mind without reservation. There are few county councillors in New' Zealand that would have the moral courage to refer to their colleagues in such terms of severe denunciation, especially in their absence. Tw'o men went ont shooting early on Sunday morning at Burnham. One shot w r as fired, and a hen pheasant killed. The men had to pay in all £9 6s for the shot, and somebody else ate the pheasant. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court they ad-

mitted they were in the habit of living on game, which is plentiful in the neighbor, hood; but their employers said they were poor, and only earned 4s a day each.

In the Supreme Court, at Auckland, an .order has been granted, adjudicating James Berry Robinson, proprietor of the Auckland Clothing Company, a bankrupt. It appears that about a month ago the debtor intimated to several of his creditors that he was anxious to go to Sydney to replenish his stock, and he left Auckland. He did not return at the time stated,and one of the signs which suggested that the debtor had a further object in view was that the name over his place of business was changed. Some inquiry was instituted) and it was found that the debtor, although he had given information of his going to Sydney, had not made known what arrangements he had effected. It was found that he had sold his business and stock to Mr Cuthbertson. The principal creditors in Auckland are Archibald Clark and Sons, and McArthur and Co. His largest creditors are a Victorian woollen firm, from whom Robinson received his supplies of tweeds. O’Connor walked a mile in 0 minutes 58 seconds in the Wellington drill shed last evening. This is the fastest time on record in the Australian Colonies. *

Concerning blight in apple trees, a correspondent in the “Australasian” writes: — If it will be any benefit to those growing apples, I give you a cure for the same, taken by me from the “ Farm and Garden,” published in South Australia. I have tried it myself with perfect success. I have some trees still fruitbearing, dressed but once> some 1G years since; and only last week a gardener to whom I gave the recipe says it is the only cure he has found. It is very simple and inexpensive, and is as follows: —Lay bare the roots of the tree most affected, let them lie open to the weather a few days and nights; then sprinkle a good dusting of sulphur over them, and cover them up again, painting the whole of the stem and branches with castor oil. This, as I have before said. I have proved effectual, and do not know one who has tried it but with success.

The list of private prizes to bo offered in tire various classes at the next Agricultural Show appears in our advertising columns.

Anniversary services will bo conducted in the Wesleyan Church to-morrow, by the Eev W, Bamnber of Christchurch. A special children’s service takes place in the afternoon. The Church has been tastefully decorated for the occasion. On the wall over the pulpit is a largo screen surmounted with a floral crown and encircled with evergreens and flowers tastefully interwoven, containing the inscription in bold yellow letters on a blue ground, “ Feed my Lambs” and “Wesleyan Sunday School, Timaru.” Beneath this and on cither side of the pulpit arc Masonic emblems wrought in laurel leaves, while the corners of the Church, the entrance to the vestry, and every niche in the building arc decorated with pines. Suspended from beams and rafters, and ornamenting both walls and ceiling, arc festoons of evergreens,artistically interlaced, with wreaths and circlets depending from them. Many of the shrubs which have been woven into all kinds of devices arc in full blossom, and added to the splendour of the decorations, the building is filled with the fragrance of springtime. The decorators may well be congratulated on their work, for we have rarely, even at Christmas time, witnessed a religious edifice so chastely and appropriately adorned. The anniversary tea meeting takes place on Tuesday.