TIMARU.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 17, 24 April 1902, Page 4

TIMARU.

(From our own correspondent.) A meeting was held in the Council Chambers on Wednesday, the ltith iußt, for the purpose of taking steps to present a testimonial to Inspector Pender on his retirement from the Public Service. There were present Mr. T. Hawkey, acting-Mayor (in the chair), the Yen. Archdeacon Harper the Hon. J. M. Twomey, M.L.C , and Me-srs Grandi, Hole, Howley, Kirk, Harvey, Hall, Annette and Dennehy. Mr. Hole explained that it was not the intention to present a separate testimonial from Timaru but to fall in with Christchurch and make one from the whole of Canterbury. The speaker spoke highly of Mr. Pender's career and was sure the movemeat would be a succt ss in South Canterbury. The Yen. Arch.ieajon Harper expressed bis very great pleasure at being present as he held Inspeotor Pender in the highest esteem, and, mentioning his many years acquaintance with the Inspector, said no one came nearer to his ideal of such an officer. He (the Arohdeacou) pat down the singular immunity which Timaru enjoyss from professional vice and crime to Inspector Pender who watched Timara during his stay here as if it was his own home, and kept all bad characters away. Speeches were also delivered by Messrs. Kirk, HovvJey, Harvey and others, when it was decided that those present form a committee, that a list be obtained for each member, and that Mr. Howley act an treasurer. Mr. Twomey promised to further the movement in Temuka. A list was handed round and a considerable amount collected in the room. The meeting, which was most euthusiastic was terminated by a vote of thanks to the chair. The Catholic Club held its annual meeting on Friday evening last in the boys' schoolroom, the Rev. Father Aubry presiding. The secretary nai a report and balance sheet of the previous session, showing the number on the roll to be 72, and the surplus over expenditure £6. This was considered mst satisfactory, and the committee are to be congratulat-d on their financing, as several socials, a picnic, and various extra expenses were incurred daring the past term. The officers fur the eiibuing term are — Patron, Rev. Father Tubman, S.M. ; president, Mr. P. Kane; vice-presidents, Messrs. J. Dunne and J. P. Fitzgerald ; treasurer, N. F. Knight (re-elected), seuretaiv, J G, Venniug (re-elected) ; council, Messrs. T. Mara, T. Quinn, E. Vanning. M. M* honey, F. MoDonald, James

Feeley, P.Mara, J. P. Fitzgerald, and J. Mahoney. The delegates to the Conference of Catholic Societies, held in Christchurch at Easter, handed in a highly satisfactory report, for which they were thanked. The delegates were Messrs. M. Mahoney, J. P. Fitzgerald, and J. Yenning. A vote of thanks to the rev. chairman terminated the meeting. The club is now fairly started, and as theßyllabus includes everything from dumbbells to debating, the meetings should be largely attended and the membership still further increased. The committee should make a spec al effort to purchase a piano this year, an item that would save a lot of expense and would always be available for a social evening. The excitement over the recent rains has subsided with the floods, and though enormous damage has been done there are many instances where it has proved not so great as anticipated. To those who suffered but slight injury to their grain, the high prices ruling will be a solatium. A boon to farmers and what will cause many of them to pay more attention to dairy farming is the erection of a dairy factory at Maori Hill, Timaru. The company has a nominal capital of £10,000 at £1 per share, about half of which is called up. At preBent the supplies are drawn from creameries, and a good commencement has been made.