A CORRECTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2240, 13 August 1891, Page 3

A CORRECTION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sik, —Our attention has been drawn to the following statement in your issue of Saturday, referring to the inquest on the body of the late Mr Hayhurst:—"Messrs Hay & Postlethwaithe forced the matter on the attention of the Government in that peculiarly aggressive way known so well to the legal fraternity." What you say is quite incorrect. We did not force the matter on the attention of the Government at all, much less in a "peculiarly aggressive way." We were not consulted in the case until it was in the hands of the Crown authorities, and we addressed no communication whatsoever to the Government on the subject. They acted on the opinion of their own advisers, that in view of the evidence before them an exhumation could not be avoided. With that conclusion we fully agree, but our opinion was that the ends of justice could have been met by a private disinterment under police supervision in the first instance, to be followed by an inquest only in the event of poison being found. In an interview with Sir R. Stout, who was acting as adviser to the family of the deceased, we suggested the propriety of that course, as it would save unnecessarily hurting the feelings ofj anyone supposing no pois\m to be found. Why our suggestion was not adopted we do not know, but seeing we went out of our way to suggest a means of doing what had to be done in such a way as to cause the least possible pain to the relatives of the deceased, we think it a little below the level of fair journalism to say that we acted " in that peculiarly aggressive way so well known to the legal fraternity."—rWe are, &c, , Hay & Postlethwaite.

[This letter is really delicious. I is, according to the writers, "below the level of fair journalism" to say they acted aggressively in the interest of their client. Supposing we say "Messrs Hay & Postlethwaite acted with' indifference in the matter," would that be " fair journalism ? " It must be if to act aggressively is below it. Then, when we want to pay % a compliment to Messrs Hay & Postle-_ thwaite in future we are to say they acted, with iudifference. We always thought it was the business of lawyers to act aggressively in the interests of their clients, and that it was a com-pliment-to them to say they had ddne so* but Messrs Hay & Postlethwaite think differently. If they cannot distinguish between what is complimentary and otherwise it is useless for us to complain of the discourteous terms of their letter. Doubtless they wanted an opportunity which probably was denied them elsewhere to smooth matters over, but they could have done that just as well in more courteous language.—Ed. J

THE FISHING SEASON,

/ TO THE EDITOR. i Sib, —As a young angler and a keen lover of sport, I was very glad to notice that the Geraldine Acclimatisation Society had a ferw weeks ago gone to considerable trouble and not a little expense to open the mouth of the Opihi river at Milford. I was in hopes that the mouth would remain open for a very long time, but I regret to hear that the bar has once more formed and the lagoon banked up. With your permission, Sir, I would direct the Society's attention to the necessity for their making ' some permanent arrangement for keeping the river open; at least, say for a few days in each month. Angling last season* was •wry disappointiing, and if no heavy ; rains fall, or the Societies interested do i not do their duty in keeping river mouths open, angling this Beason will be a dead letter. Several anglers do not intend to take out licenses this year if the authorities persist in their lethargic way of " letting things slide," thus breaking faith with their supporters—the license-holders. TheTemuka district is justly renowned for Its troutfishing, and, now that its fame is becoming | known in the columns of the London I Fishing Gazette and other sporting papers, it behoves the societies to do their very best to see that the supply of fish is kept up. This can in great measure be done by keeping the mouths of such rivers as the Opihi open, so that during this month, and next months and at opportune periods during the season, the trout can have every chance of running in from the sea. So far aB I can learn the Temuka and Timaru societies have ample funds, the spending of a small part of which would do great good to the majority of their patrons —" the anglers."—l am, etc., A Well-Wisher.

Thursday halfholiday,

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, By your kind permission I should like to make a remark or two re Mr W. Johnson's letter on above. Ab I happen to-know that Mr Johnson has been living in Geraldine 'for severalmonths—where the half-holiday has been established for the past two or three years—l was rather surprised he should have been so ignorant of it as only to be reminded by closed doors, shutters, &c. I fail to see any argument for keeping shops open on Thursday afternoons in the case he has quoted, for he admits having all the morning to himself, but .could not use it for shopping purposes 'because he was tired. It would therefore follow if he was tired on the Saturday the stores must be kept open for his convenience on Sundays. I quite agree with him on one point, and that is—" all circumstances considered " he was the bird he confessed to be. With regard to

the idea of shop-assistants, &c, having two days per month instead of one halfday per week as at present, I think he [ has studied his own convenience more ' than the benefit of shop-assistants. First, he would rob the holiday of the greater part of its pleasure for the majority of those to whom it is given, namely, the opportunity of assembling together for different amusements —fancy one going for a picnic, one playing football, or cricket. Then again in a country store where several hands are employed each has his or her own particular work to do, and is not always competent to take the work of another without inconvenience or loss to the employer. Mr Johnson admits the necessity of such a Bill as that passed through the Lower House by a large majority, providing for a halfholiday in each week, but yet in his judgment (superior, of course, to this majority) it would have been better to, well, adjust everything to suit his own convenience. Hoping his past experience will be sufficient to keep him in mind of the Thursday half-holiday,—l am, &c., Football.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATES COURT. Geraldine —Tuesday, Aug. 11, 1891. [Before C. A. Wray, Esq., R.M.] CIVIL CASE. M. Connolly v. John Wilson—Claim £2, balance of money owing for services of a horse.—Judgment was given for plaintiff by default for amount claimed, with costs. DISTURBING a meeting. John Meredith was charged with, on the 2nd day of August at Woodbury, disturbing a congregation assembled for public worship, viz., Salvation Army, contrary to the Police Offences Act. Mr F. Wilson Smith appeared for the defendant, and pleaded guilty to; the offences -committed. It seemed ! that the defendant, with others, had taken part in some rowdyism in the meeting in question, but he could assure His Worship that it would not occur again. Under these circumstances he believed the prosecution were willing that only a nominal penalty be inflicted. Mr Flatman, for the prosecution, said they did not wish to press for a heavy penalty, but he thought that something should be done to put down the larrikinism at Woodbury. * The school building was actually being knocked about and ruined, and the manner in which these young people conducted themselves and their language were simply disgusting. His Worship : Has this got anything to do with the present case ? Mr Smith: This case was brought to stop larrikinism in general at Woodbury. Mr Flatman, continuing, said that he had frequently spoken to the young people, telling them that they ought to behave themselves better, and they did not seem to understand that they were liable to a heavy penalty. So long as the present case would cause them to understand the position they were in regard to the law, and better behavior would be promised for the future, they would not presss for a heavy penalty. His Worship to defendant: Can't you find anything better to amuse yourselves with than annoying harmless people? As it is a first offence I do not wish to punish you severely. You promise, however, that in future you will behave yourself better ? Defendant; Yes, your Worship. His Worship : I hope you will not do it again. There is no constable at Woodbury, and if anyone else is brought before me in the future I must insist on a heavy penalty. The penalty you are liable to is £o ; you will in this case be fined 5s and costs. The Court then rose. AROWHENUA TOWN BOARD. The regular monthly meeting of the above was held last night. Present— Messrs J. Ashwell (chairman), A. Frew, E. Brown, A. Russell, and E. Carr, CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was read Frojm the Crown Lands Commissioner, acknowledging receipt of letter reporting upon the petition of Aro- j whemia settlers re proposed reserves, and asking for a return of the map ! forwarded by Mr Baker for exhibition. —A telegram was also received, asking for return of plan if finished with.— ' The clerk had returned same with previous letter. From the clerk to the County Council, advising that the first moiety of contribution to Timaru Harbor Board for year 1891 had not been paid, and stating that if the same be i not paid by the 31st steps would be taken to enforce payment in terms of section 6 of the Timaru Harbor Board Empowering Act, 1890.—Passed for payment. $ From the Crown Lands Department, forwarding detailed statement of payment to local bodies' deposit account for quarters ending 31st July, i 1890, 31st October, 1890, 31st January, 1891, and 30th April, 1891, and requesting that upon a plan enclosed the board would mark where they intended to expend the moneys accrued. Attention was drawn that the money must be expended for the benefit of the sections contributing same, but it would be advisable to group the sections wherever possible. —The clerk to write to the effect that if the Department will forward amount for which plans have already been furnished further plans will be supplied before that is exceeded. The clerk was also instructed to ascertain

what amounts are accruing in respect of proceeds from cash sales. A circular from the Audit Department was received, impressing upon members of local bodies the necessity of exercising vigilance in respect of their revenue, as the department had no check upon the outstanding amounts. overseer's report. The overseer's report was read as follows : To the Chairman and Commissioners of the Arowhenua Town Board. Gentlemen,—l have the honor to report that since last meeting the formation of John street has been proceeded with, and, with the exception of the dressing up of the water-tables, is now completed. Due attention has been paid to drainage, and there should now be no danger of water flowing upon adjoining sections. The footpath in Denmark street fronting Mr Coira's section has not yet been made up. The two crossings to the special settlement from John street have been made, as well as the suggested alteration and shingling of the crossing at the junction of Denmark and Shaw streets. An extra row of 6in. pipes has been laid at the junction of John and High streets, and the crossing to same protected with shingle, The culvert at the junction of North Town Belt and the Lower Swamp road has fallen in, and requires attention in view of wet weather. It would be as well also to have the ends protected by rails to prevent accident. At present the deep and unprotected ditch is decidedly dangerous. It will be necessary to take steps for striking the annual rate. The rate book is now in order. On Tues- i day the Commissioner of Crown Lands visited the township, and inspected the proposed garden reserves, etc. As his visit was unexpected I could not communicate with the chairman, but Mr Brown and myself accompanied him. No opinion was expressed as to the proposition to vest the reserves in the board, but the Commissioner was pleased to note the general satisfactory appearance of the township. I have, etc., A. W. Gaze, Overseer. The overseeer was instructed to report fully upon the culvert at the Swamp Road. The matter of cleaning the water channels was brought up and deferred until such date as it should be necessary for the work to be gone on with. RATE. It was moved by Mr Russell, seconded by Mr Frew, and carried—- " That the Board, at a special meeting to be held on Wednesday, September 9th, do strike a rate of three-farthings in the £ on all the rateable property in the Arowhenua Town District, such rate to include the contribution of the district to the Timaru Harbor Board."

accounts. Accounts to the amount of £l9 16s 4d were passed for payment, and the meeting terminated.