OBSERVER'S OBSERVATIONS OF MEN AND THINGS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 312, 2 November 1880, Page 2

OBSERVER'S OBSERVATIONS OF MEN AND THINGS.

The trout season may be fairly said to have commenced in-good earnest, judging from the number of vehicles that daily pass along the road to Winchester, laden with the disciples of Isaac Walton. Sport on the whole is good, but X hear of a good few . who Jjave boasted of their prowess ifid *skiir [A this direction, that have, re? turned after hours of patient toil minus fish, and if you venture to enquire as to their sport the'answer is " no sport, but I had some glorious nibbles." I have one man in my miud's eye that last year purchased rod, line, flies, casts, and the whole of the requisites necessary for a successful c/unpaign on the finny tribe, and being duly armed with his license, proceeded to Winchester in company with a well known livery stable keeper. After manipulating bis rod and line for some time in a most primitive style, he was rewarded by a bite, and no doubt would have landed the little beauty, but being too over-anxious the line snapped, and the fish floating on the surface led him to believe he had but to jump in the stream to secure his prize, which I am assured he did, but alas ! too late, for the fish sud detdy recovering, " passed from his gaze like a beautiful dream." That nearly drowned angler has never been seen fishing since, for he raffied the whole box and dice off, and they passed into the hands of a gentleman to whom I hope they will prove the " nucleus of a fortune."

I was on Saturday last shown a splendid trout caught by W. Binley of this town. The fish, which was of the Californian species, measured 26 inches in length and weighed 6f lbs.

It is gratifying to find that things are looking up in our midst, after the dull times that have besn experienced for the last eighteen months, and it must have been especially so to Mr Johnston, who last Friday sold the property he purchased from the trustee in the estate of Mr Rutland (some twelve months ago) at an advance of £SO. Lot us hope that we are on the eve of better days.

to Mr Johnston, I think it is now well-known that he leaves Temuka for Oamaru on Thursday next, and a many of his friends (myself included) imita in wishing him God epeed. A good few of the people here ha\e complained of the heavy charges made by this gentleman in connectioo with his calling—and no doubt justly—but none can deny that as a Mr Johnston stands preeminent in his profession, and, as a private ci'izen, is an upright, straightforward gentleman.

The local Brass Band are making rapid strides to perfection, and it is pleasing to record the regular attendance of members at practice. Personally, I have great hopes of this band being second to none in the colony. ' Why should it not be soi composed as it is of the proper and requisite material! The Band was recently furnished by Mr Hadfield—the worthy bandmaster with two or three new pieces, set by himself, and if one may judge by the evident gusto these pieces are gone into, they do him infinite credit. Some weeks ago It was decided by a committee of the Band to hold a concert at Winchester, ihe object being to raise funds to meet bills falling due for the instruments, which were bought on terms from a firm in Dunedin. As a prelimi nary step the secretary—Mr Rutland—wrote the Winchester School Committee asking for the use of the School for the occasion, and naming a date. In the meantime the Band was assiduous in its exertions, and the affair promised to be a success. When 10, the following note was received from the Chairman of the Com mittee :

Winchester, 26th October.

Mr W. G. Rutland, Dear Sir, —The Committee are getting up concerts as often as they will pay, to raise funds for incidental expenses, so we are sorry we cannot grant the use of the school. Yours truly, A. Lawrence. —Tiie italics are mine, but gentle reader did you ever hear or read such a selfish letter. I confess I never did. Short and sweet. I should like Mr Lawrence or any of his committee to explain why he knows they are getting up as many concerts aa will pay. Is it because the amount of talent they have.at their disposal is of such 'i&ry limited character, or does he predict that because their own puny efforts are so ill appreciated, too much success would attend the efforts of the band. I confess I think so. To make matters worse, several members of the Band havo invariably been asked, and as often accepted invitations to take part in their concerts, and through their endeavors alone have they proved successful; and the refusal of the committee to allow the use of the school—to say the least of it—shows extremely bad taste, and the consequences of their selfishness will b 3 seen in the future. Perhaps Mr Lawrence can translate Vivre et laissez vivre for the benefit of himself and colleagues.