OBSERVER'S OBSERVATIONS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 294, 23 September 1880, Page 2

OBSERVER'S OBSERVATIONS.

Being one of the reputed Court habiteus, I sometimes hear and see some strange things. On Wednesday last, as most of your readers are aware, the School Committee had several cases for hearing against parents neglecting to send their children to school. The magistrate — rightly or wrongly—dismissed the cases on points raised by the solicitor for the dependents, with costs against the Committee ; and it was disgusting to an unprejudiced onlooker to witness the avidity each defendant claimed his costs. In one Case I very much doubt the right of the R.M. to allow costs, seeing that defendant ws represented by ids wife. However, [ for one shall expect the Committee to bring these cases forward again, and being test cases, the Committee ought certainly to employ counsel to prosecute.

The local appeal case—Harrop v Car]yon—has agin heen postponed, in con sequence of the absence of Judge Johnst n iu Wellington.

A certain resident in the town last week hit upon an idea which is certaitdy a novelty in its way, and .does him infinite credit. Fi- ding himself in credit at the Bank —anothernovelty I imagine—and his beiter half (much the better) informing him that the stock of groceries was nearly ou*, wrote out lists of his requirements, leaving one at each of the stores, prices to be filled in, and addr sse.d " tenders for supply of stores."' also informing them that he would call the following morning for the said tenders, and whoever was the lowest should _iiup}4y hiin. However, if what 1 hear is true, lie never called at two ol the stores fur his lists—which are still waiting for him —but contented himself with one he received, al a loss, a* I near, to himself of exactly twelve and sixpence. A-id that man tells the public, he has been had.

Speaking of the stores. The question

has been often asked why people spend their money in Timaru 1 Why they do so I cannot say, but I hear of one .storekeeper who buys eggs at sixpence per dozen, and sells them for a shilling, and "he goes on Sunday io ihe church."