QUERY.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1210, 1 April 1880, Page 3

QUERY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,-— Will you oblige by giving what you deem the common sense meaning of the 30th clause of the Counties Act, which deals with notices of ordinary meetings ? Can it, by any possible means, be made to read " that it is the duty of the Clerk to give to each Councillor a written notice of each ordinary meeting as they occur in their regular appointed time ?" — I am, &c, Syntax. 24 March, 1880.

[Our correspondent refers, presumably, to section 69 (2), of Part v. (not 30th), which says:— "The Chairman or the Clerk shall give notice in writing to each of the Councillors of the time appointed from time to time for ordinary meetings, and the Councillors shall attend such meetings without further notice of each meeting." We take it that one written notice of the dates of ordinary meetings for the year, or for any given period, wul meet legal requirements of the Act. It is certainly "the duty of the Clerk to give give to each Councillor a written notice," but not necessarily a separate notice for each single meeting. — Ed.]

A "metallic dog watch" is one of the latter efforts of science to protect dwelling houses from thieves during the dark hours of night. The contrivances consists Bimply of a tube into which a flame of gas is introduced, and this operating in a vibrating piece of glass creates a noise similar to the barking of a dog. When a door or window is opened the door immediately cries out "bow-wow- wow" in a gruff voice, and the inmates, duly alarmed come upon the scene and capture the thief. We might perhaps be allowed to suggest to two or three of the residents on Devonport road that the "metallic watchdog" might with advantage be substituted for the ferocious brutes which at present guard their premises. About every second night these animals break loose and prowl about the road in packs of half a dozen, fiercely attacking anyone that has the misiortune to be passing that way. Oa several occasions passers by have only saved themselves from perhaps being worried by these prowlers by the free use of sticks they managed to pick up. The owners of some of these animals will get themselves into a scrape if they do not keep their watch-dogs from interfering with people passing along on their lawful business. This, according to the Fiffaro, is how a lady of the haute inonde in Paris pays visits to her friends. She is dressed in dark furs —her hands are in a muff a la Dauphine, a morsel of lace, white or black, whioh at a distance might be taken for a Maltese dog or a small black King Charles. Her brougham is Uned, not with blaok satin as formerly, but with olive green, deep crimson, or navy blue. Inside the carriage is a hot. water footstool,a rug of Astrachan fur, a boquet of violets or tea-roses, a pin and powder box, a memorandum book, and an English novel. The toilette varies accordiug to the nature of the visit. Quite rich dresses, long trains and cloaks are used for ceremonious calls, the latter to be taken off in the ante-chamber ; feu* friendly and intimate visits, ladies daak themselves out as smartly as they please— they oannot •how too many bows, trinkets and lace. The stuffs worn are all of the softest Indian material — ye y bright and showy. The colours are white or saffron, Laraartine blue, rose-Maria- Antoinette, embroidered richly, and set off by costly Malines and other old lace. The prevailing style is that known as the Directorie, or period following the first French Revolution, when Frenchwomen were as much emancipated from the rules of fastyqa. as the whole nation was from. th.c despotism of the qnoienjt reyjtye % If AWVAL affeotion offers a fine foundation on which to erect the edifice of a firm and enduring friendship, but it will not raise up of itself, We must build it stone by stone, if we would possess it. If we have a valued and respected friend, what pains we take to cherish his friendship ; how carefully we endeayor fa prime away from ourfJelve/i tya.% whioh would displease ifos caltfvute those cu^litfeui $h.a.t J^e admires \ how we strive fb gratify him by pleasant surprises and |o avoid all that could wound or trouble him ! Yet let the familiar hou*e door shut uh in, and how many of us take the SJinu paiiu> ?

A oxßi> should hesitate to give her pro* mise to any nun for whom the is constantly making mental apologies. The manners which annoy her will not be altered by marriage; and, if she is ashamed of them, be the poor fellow ever so good, ever bo rich, ever so commendable as an honest man, she will not be able to fulfil her vow of honoring- him; and in the end she will not love him — for shame kills love, while pride in any one awakens it. There are women in this world whose only idea in life is that they should be considered,, their convenience consulted, and their indolenoe ministered to. A selfish, sordid, narrow-natured woman can make it almost impossible^ for her husband and sons to succeed in life's conflicts. Alas ! when woman's hand pulls down her home ! hvery wise woman buildeth her' house, and is its queen. There cannot be one law in the household for the husband and another for the wife. Both mnst work and live together, md if there be true love between them, they will endure the hardness of life very bravely and cheerily. Supemob Flax.— There is to be seen at our office(says the Nm Zealand Times), a remarkably fine sample of flax, which was taken from the leaf of a plant grown on the grounds of Mr Field, Aramoho. near Wanganui. It is the finest and strongest thread we have yet seen, and is infinitely superior anything grown in this Province, or indeed in this island, ltisperfeotly w^itein, colour, remarkably strong, and in the Home market we are creditably informed would be worth from £60 to £80 a ton, being superior to the finest manilla. The small* specimen in question has undergone no preparation further than being soraped with a shell, after the Maori fashion. "We are informed that the particular species to which the plant belongs can only be grown from the root, seed sowing being useless. In the neighbourhood of Aramoho the speoies is highly prized, and people come to Mr Field's from far and near. It seems a pity that the plant cannot be extensively cultivated, seeing the great value which the dressed flax would have in the English market. Thb new Pure Cash System now being initiaedt by G. and C. will certainly prove a benefit to the public. It has been a great success in Sydney and Melbourne, and when strictly carried out the customer who buys at an establishment where the goods are marked low to ensure a rapid sale must )c a great gainer. G. and C. sell their drapery, millinary, and clothing at such prices for cash as gives the buyer the advantages of a shareholder in a co-operative society, without the risk of being called upon to bear a portion of the loss should the year's business prove unsatisfactory. Garlick and Cranwell will aim to retain the confidence which the public have hitherto shown them, and are dctinnined to give the pure cash system a fair trial ; whether they gain or lose the first year. Country buyers on remitting cash with order will be supplied with goods at co-operative prices ; just the same as though they made a personal selection. Furnishing goods, such as carpets, floor cloths, bedsteads, bedding, and general house furniture, the largest portion of which is turned out at our own factory, will be marked at the lowest remunerative prices, and a discount of five per cent, will be allowed to those who pay at the time of purchase. G. &C. having realised the entire value of their stock during their late cash sale, the present stock is new and cheaply bought. An inspection is invited. — Garlick and Cranwell, City Hall Furnishing Arcade, Queenstreet, Auckland.