The undoubted presence about town just now of a number of "spielers" and light-fingered gentry makes it specially necessary that house holders should not leave their premises unpro tected, or they may find themselves in the un fortunate condition in which a resident of Russell street was left on Monday. This person followed the time honoured custom of leaving door key under the mat when he went out, and on returning home he found that during his absence his house had been entered and a purse abstracted containing two £1 notes, half a sove reign, and some loose silver. On the following morning the owner became aware that the loss was still greater than he had anticipated, for he then learned that his careful wife had secreted a £5 note for service on a rainy day within the loose lining of the purse. Unfortunately the precaution of taking the number of the note was omitted, and there does not appear to be a clue to the identity of the thief.
The monthly meeting of the Union street School Committee was held last evening, and attended by Messrs Dntbie (chairman), Jackson, Heenan, and Selby. The head master's and janitor's reports were read. It- was resolved that the Echool break up for tho Christmas holidays on the 13th inst., and it was also decided that the whole of the committee should meet at the City Hall on Friday evening at 7 o'clock to arrange for the kinderspiel which is to be held that night.
The Timaru Presbytery has accepted the resignation of the Rev. Q. Barclay, of Geraldine, pioueer Presbyterian minister in South Canter bury, where he has been for twenty-five years, The reasons he gives are overwork and too large a district to overtake.
