R. M. COURT, TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2153, 27 April 1886, Page 2

R. M. COURT, TE AWAMUTU.

THURBDAT.— (Before Mr Northcroft, R.M.) An Alexandra resident was charged with beinj? drunk, And was discharged with a caution. Elmsi.y v. Harrt Carter.— Judgement debtor summons. Mr Gresham appeared Tor creditor. Proof was given of defendants ability to pay, and an order was made directing the defendant to pay the debt, t'7 Is sd, and costs £1 12s, by instalments of £2 per month, the first instalment to lie made on the 29th inst, in default the debtor was to be imprisoned in Mount Eden Gaol for two months. Elm&lv v. D. McKbon.— Upon Mr Gresham 's application leave to issue a judgment summons herein was granted. Patrick Hates v. Forbes Gordon.— Claim for the value of four turkeys, the property of the plaintiff, and which had been killed by the defendant's do#a. It appeared from the evidence that the birds had been killed whilst trespassing on the premises of the 'defendant. Judgment for defendant with costs £1 7b.

The deepest regret is expressed in the English Press at the premature death of Mr Randplph Caldecott, whose charming artistic work has been the delight of young and old. Everyone knows his graceful and humourous illustrations of *'Sing a Song of Sixpence," " The House that Jack Built," and many others. Th« Spectator, in an obitnary notice, says : — No artist, perhaps, who ever lived — certainly no artist who is alive now — was ever abb in so few touches to get at tbo heart of a simple subject so well as this comparatively little known man. For Mr Caldecott, despite his fame, was by no means successful in the worldly sense of the* word. When his popularity came, it came too late ; and to the end of his life he was never able to relieve himself of drawing for illustrated periodicals and papers, such as the Graphic. We can hardly regret this, however, for his work gave pleasure to thousands instead of tens ; and, it will be long before those Christmas' numbers which contained his little dramas of love and misfortune are forgotten in the country-side. He had the peculiar, artistic power of expressing much with little (apparent) labour — above, all. characteristics, one which makes a true artist Perhaps the most perfect example of this was in his "House that Jack Built," where such little things as the appearance of a rat | above the boards of the granary, the 1 back view of the dog as he waits round the corner for the appearance of the cat, and perhaps above all, the figure of the Irishman when he first catches sight of N the •' maiden all forlorn," and promptly hops over the stile to kiss her, remain in one's memory as absolutely perfect adaptations of means to ends. They are entirely satisfactory — entirely, as far as they go, right. One can be perfectly certain that this is art, whatever else may or may not be. The tale is told with an amount of iucisiveness and ease such as words can but feebly express, md, besides that, it is told asVkindly and brightly as it is told well ; £ takes the matter and puts it into -tjlear -gp* shine and fresh air. In these pictures, we feel that the dawn has come, "ana the shadows flee away." Mr John Knox will hold his usual weekly salt of produce, poultry, fee, on Saturday.