NEW PLYMOUTH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2093, 12 September 1885, Page 2

NEW PLYMOUTH.

(From Our Own Cobeespondent)

What characters wo meet with occasionally, to be sure. This is the latest 'Army' bulletin His name was Thomas, and in liia younger days he had been a wanderer, acquiring in his travels a weakness for tho jovial "pinto' yale", Finally he grew tired of a roving life, and settled down in this small out-of-the-way portion of the globe, and took unto himself a buxom lass as a partner in his joys and sorrows. Ho joined the " Army," and 'twas on "testimony night," he related the following. It had been a hot day and perhaps his nervs were a little overfished. Said Thomas Sisters and brothers all, I havo been a wayward man hitherto, I now renounce all ovil, and walk only in the path of the righteous, [Twas only the other night, dear friends, I was in sore need of a "shave," and not being the possessor of the means wherewith to pay for it, I wa3 forced to ask my ever-obliging wife for the loan of a shilling. I was refused, dear friends; yes, I was refused. But after much persuasion, her better nature prevailed, and the needful was forthcomimg— accompanied by the bitter taunt: " Take it, but don't get drunk." 'Tis needless to Bay, dear friends, I took it, with many promises of shunning thatgreatest curse of mankind—drink. I went forth into the night with a full determination to have a shave, and a shave alone. But before I reached my destination, the evil spirit once more took possession of me, and I was powerless to return. Once more 1 entered the door of the well-remembered beer-shop, and in a few minutes the shilling was exchanged for the cooling beverage. I stayed a while longer, and drank again at tie expense of others, so much so, that when I quitted the friendly portal my head was reeling—l was drunk, As I wended my was towards my home, thoughts of my youth came o'er me, and 1 realized the degraded position to which I had brought my wife and family. This thought so haunted me, friends, that I dared not go home. I dare not face my wife with a falsehood that I had lost the shilling she had given me. No, my helpless state was too plain to all. So I went not home. Into a forsaken yard I wandered, and there I found an- old forsaken cask, into whioh 1 crawled, desolate and miserable, After hours of restless turning, I fell asleep. And while I slept, there also crept into the friendly owk WJ t\i rn, &ien4fc i l>i?

while stretching itself out beside mo, alio slumbered, ,In the grej> dawn I woke, , cold and miserable, and not' realizing my position, I put my hand towards (as I thought) my wife, My wife !jfi& that ~ my wife ? Never! 1 was abouccoiipeak, when again there came b'er me the thought that I had never shaved. Yes, friends, and I there and then swore a fearful oath that 1 would not drink again. I said—" But here the captain stepped forward, and with the aivs of a couple of stalwart" orldins," the testator, with a sad, wan smile upon his brow, wai led forth into the cold night, never to return. Mr William Courtney, who Pwra' going Home as Immigration AgeSrror this districj, shortly, addressed a fairly attended meeting in the Alexandra Half, on Tuesday, August 25th. \ His Worship 1 the Mayor occupied the chair, Mr Courtney after a few preliminary, remarks regarding his last trip, said that he came before his New Plymouth .audience on this occasion with ten 'times more confidence than hithorto, He had made more extensive arrangements for his proposed mission, intending to take with him many of the best views of New Zealand, ana somephotagraphs of fat cattle, etc,, whoae size and condition he knew would stagger an English farmer. He proposes being at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, wher#. thousnads of the first men of England and Scotland', were to be found, and aho Intends lecturing in Scotland, thenorth of Ireland, and Dublin. He did®; mean to address himself to, the .laborag class at Home, and had only done so on his . last mission because he had'not the money to approach the other. This time no stone would be left unturned to get a good inflow here, and he was taking Home photographs of properties for saloirHe would hold meetings right down tlEToast for the purpose of raising funds. The Government had offered him £ for £ up to £250 for the furtherance of his work, and lie hoped the settlers here would respond' in the way of subscriptions. The terms on which he went to England were that he should spend ten months clear there and address two meetings a week. Mr Courtney was applauded at the conclusion of his adress. Ho received cordial promises of support from those present, and it was suggested that he should hold a "gift auction," as there were many persons who would prefer contributing some article rather than money, Mr Courtney promised to adopt the suggestion. A treasurer was appointed, and the meeting than dispersed,

A bazaar in connection with the New Plymouth High School, was held in the hall on Wednesday afternoon. It was opened by His Worship the Jfeyor, and largely attended. The avtiorarSvere all the work of the scholars and their parents. The proceeds amounted to £65 3s 7d.

_A brewery at Opunake, in the pupation of Messrs Forbes and Sandsfljs, waa destroyed by fire on Monday morning. The cause is assigned ■to a'spark falling from the fires under the boiler, which were banked up for the night. The building, I believe, belonged to' Messrs Fabian Bros., of Greytown, and is insured for £225, Messrs Forbes'and Sanders' stock is insured for £4OO in the New Zealand Office, but estimate their loss at £7OO. Nothing was saved.

The members .of the New Plymouth Fire Brigade shortly compete for two silver medals, presented to. the Brigade by a local gentleman; ' The Bowling Green for 'the local club has just been finished. Several member# of the club tested the. ground the other afternoon, but found it .rather soft. A few more weeks will, however, see it in a fit state for pursuing the healthy' eiercise. Heini Haera, the 'Maori charged with theft of a watch and chaiuf etc,, and remanded to the criminal siwfcgs of the District Court, was brought up before His Honor District Judge Rajxon on Thursday, September'3rd, Attacking considerable evidence lie was found guilty by the jury, and sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment on two chargesof issuing valueless cheque's, The prisoner was also sentenced to 18 months for each, the three terms to run concurrently, The native was a well-educated and rather intelligent fellow, and in delivering «entonco His Worship expressed a hope that during his confinement the prisoner would reflect upon his past career of I fyime, and return to the outer world a better man.