LOCAL AMD GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2319, 3 January 1890, Page 2

LOCAL AMD GENERAL.

The total number of emigrants from Ger. many since 1871 is almost 2,000,000.

The •• North Otago Times" saya that the Kiwhai at the mouth of the Waitaki are affording good sport to fishermen.

The "Grey Biver Argua" saya that the "Spanish Students" have taken to street playing for a living.

An old Maori, aged 67, was killed nt Little B|ver on Christmas Eve, by too oopious draughts of whiskey.

At the B.M. Court this morning before Mr B. Aloorn, J.P., a youth named J. Carter, charged with letting off fireworks in East Street on the morning of New Year's Day, was fined 5a without costs.

The following letters from places beyond the colony were reoeived at the Ashburton toßt Offioe during the month of November and are now lying unclaimed:—Andrew Foster, E. Heale.

The German paperß call General Boulanger " General Ex"; citing that he ia an exGeneral, ex-Minister, ex-Deputy, ex-party chief, ex-future Dictator, and is now living in exile.

Nickleby: " That's a strange pair of eoalea you have there. I suppose they are of the ambuscade kind ? " Grooer : " Ambuscade ? What is that?" Niokleby; "Why they lie in weight, as it were."

Bonaparte's house atLongwood, St. Helena, is now a barn; the room he died in is a stable ; and where the imperial body lay in Btate may be found a machine for grinding corn.

Emperor William of Germany has given the amount of 30,000 marks to the expedition under Dr Henson, to explore tho nubmarine fauna and flora of the ooean. The east coast of Greenland is to be the first oruieing ground.

The soil of Siberia at the close of the Bummer is found still frozen for fifty-six inohes beneath the surface, and the dead (hat have lain in their coffins for one hundred and fifty years have been taken up unchanged in the least.

The Hon. Mr Waterhouse has returned to England from Viohy—where he has been taking the watera —in a very muoh improved state of health. He has deoided to live at Torquay for the winter, and has already taken a furnished house there.

A lad named Kerin, aged eight years, was admitted to the Mount Gambier Hospital recently in a state of collapse through having eaten too many oherries. He was given up during the night, but rallied, and sufficiently reoovered to be sent home.

The rainfall during December, 1889, at Alford Station was 7*60 inohes, and at Alford Forest 738 inohes. During the twelve months of 1889 42-06 inohes fell at the Forest, and 33 48 at Alford Station. The reoord for 1883 was: —Alford Foreßt 67 75j Alford Station 44*21;

Id an article in the " Observer," Dr Charles S. Robinson Bays he onoe knew the hymn, " I would not live alway, I ask not to stay," given out in a sanatorium, and sung by 200 invalids, all of whom had come there beoause they wanted to stay," and were doing their costliest and best not to leave this world.

Mr James Smith, of Newmarket (England), said that at tbe laying of the foundation stone of a Congregational chapel in that pl&oe lately, he overheard two betting men lay a wager as to the probable length of the dedicatory prayer while it was being offered by a minster from Ipswich 1

From a contemporary we learn that Sydney has been invaded by myriads of fleas, and that things in that city are being made particularly lively by these agile domestic pets. Having a taste for the drama, they patronise the theatres without tendering payment at the doors, and frequent ohurohes wi'hout putting anything in the plate. On a recent Sunday the preacher in a church in Dundee (Sootlund) took for the text of his evening discourse the words " Be Patient." The congregation had reason to remember the injunction before he had done; for the service lasted two hours and a quarter —the sermon ocoupying more than half the time;

The -'Auckland Herald" states that the Davenport borough authorities have tried the experiment of tarring the footpaths with very satisfactory results. Twelve thousand yarde of tarring have been done during the year, and it is found to be as good as asphalt. It costs about 3d a yard, whereas asphalt would oqst 2s a yard. A "hundred years ago legal penalties of all kinds were very seyerp. In 1797 the Arohbishop of Canterbury gaye notjoe of hps intention to bring a Bill into Parliamen enacting that any person convioted of playing at any game of chanoe on Sunday should be iiable to transpprfation to Botany Bay for seven years. To the owner of the house where gaining was permitted was awarded tb.o oiid penalty at \tmpQMm fer %,

With this issue we present our readers with a Calendar for 1890.

On New Year's Eve a rocket fired from one of the Bhipa in Lyttelton landed on the roof of Mr Ohilman's (H.M. Customs) residence. The firework passed through the roof into a bedroom, and but for the prompt attention of the inmates would have set a light to the draperies in the room.—" Preßß."

The ABhburton Fire Brigade, in common with each of the Brigades of Canterbury, Otago, and Southland, has received an invitation from his Excellenoy the Governor, Lord Onslow, to a Fire Brigade dinner at Dunedin. The members to the number of about eighteen have deoided to avail themslvea of the invitation, and arrangements will be mada that during their absence ex-firemen shall hold themselves in readiness to turn out, should there be any occasion for their aevioea.

The Port Moresby correspondent of the " Sydney Morning Herald " gives some illustrations of the peculiarities of " defence, not defiance," in New Guinea* The boats attached to Sir William Maogregor'a expedition to the Fly River carry aheetß of galvanised iron as a defence against native attack.^ Further, there is a strong galvanic current transmissible through the rail of the Bl:eam launoh, and the grief and dismay of the gentle Fly River habitant when he gets hold of that rail should be truly interesting. It is not for nothing that there ia a medico and man of eoienoe at the helm in New Guinea.

The " Otago Daily Times'" Taapeka West correspondent writes that a terrific thunderstorm broke over the district on Sunday last, whioh will be long remembered by residents. During one terrific peal of thunder a stack consisting of 50 bags of wheat and 20 baga of oats, belonging to Messrs Fahey Bros, was struok by lightning. The bags were covered with straw, whioh was set on fire, the bags themselves being rent in many plaoeß. The Misers Fahey were away from home at the time, but Mrs Dempsep, who lives oloae by, observing the oiroumstanoe, gave the alarm, and tha neighbors assembled and saved a few bags of grain, and kept the fire from spreading to the stables and outbuildings. A Bteady downpour of rain aided their efforts greatly. The rain has done a lot of good to the country, and the crops promise to be very heavy this year.

The Bumml treat of the Ashburton Wealeyan Sunday Sohool took plaoe on New Year's Day in a paddook kindly lent for the oooaaion by Mr D. H. Brown, Canterbury Mills. Excellent arrangements were made for the day's oating, but the unpropitious nature of the weather somewhat upset these. When the rain oame on in the afternoon the ohildren were, through the kindness of Mr Brown, acoommodated in one of the sheds near the mill where lunch was provided, The children were afterwards dismissed, arrangements having been made for their reassembling the next day, when the open air proceedings were resumed in a paddook adjoining the church kindly plaoed at the disposal of the authorities by Mr Robert Aloorn. Games of all kindß were indulged in, and tea was provided, the gathering breaking up about eight o'clock, (ihe ohildren being immensely delighted at having two pionioa instead of one.

A team of the Ashburton Rifles won the bayonet competition at the Caledonian tiports at Timaru yesterday, and are now the owners of the Cup given by the Society. The soores were as follows:—Ashburton R.fles, 383 points; Lyttelton Navals, 317 points; Sydsnham Riiiea, 270 points. This was the final competition, being restricted to four corps, tho Scottish Rifles being oonßpiouous by their absence. The drill was smartly gone through the result being given by Lieutenant-Oolonel Bailey bb above. Mr John Meikle, the president of the Booiety made the presentation, and said that einoe the cup had been given by the society there had been many good contests for it, and he congratulated the Aahburton men on their win. He then laalled for three cheers for the viotors, which were heartily given, the compliment being returned by the victors with an additional salvo for Colonel Bailey.

At a meeting of the Board of EdaoarMi yesterday tha Buildings Committee repor'd shat the following toadara had been anoep^d \ —Painting and repairs at Tinwald, G. ViacLut, £26 12a; at Ashton, G. Vincent, £16 ant Newland, J. Oraigie, £18; at Wakanui,TJ, Oraigie, £18. For repairs, etc, £10 or £15 was allowed to Dromore Committee, and £1' t;o Chertsey. The Appointments Gommittae reported that the resignation of Mr O. Hogg, of Wakanui, had been acoepted; The Sohool Committee enquired whether the examination jjapers done by the ohiidren of their schools tiould be forwarded for their perusal. It was resolved that tbiß oould not be allowed. The resignation of Mrs Wheeler, of Seafiold, waa received and accepted. In reply to an enquiry from the Board, the Master at Dromore explained that singing had not been taught because in the backward condition of the ohildren all the time was wanted for other aubjeota, but that it would be taught during line ensuing year. A petition from thirteen residents of Longbeaoh was read. It prayed ilor the erection of a sohooi in .that district. The matter was referred to the Building Committee.

The annual treat of the Boholars attending the Mount Somers Sohool was held on New Year's Day in a paddook kindly lent for the occasion by Mr MoOlimont. Though rain Hell copiously for some time after midday the imcoess of the gathering was not materially afleotod, and the children and their parents and friends, together with visitors from Mayield, Springburn, and surrounding districts all thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The committee had procured prizes in great variety for the sports, and a bountiful supply of refreshments was provided by lady friends. A long programme of sports waß got off, Messrs Edson and MoClimont acting as judges, Messrs Watson and Tait as handioappers and Btarteis, while Mr John Hood had charge of the tent containing tbe prizes. Daring the afternoon tbe ohildren were assembled and each presented with a book as a New Year's gift. Mr Andrew Orr's prizes ilor the best conduoted boy and girl in the school, were awarded, on the vote of the ohildren, to William Jones and Bertha Hood. The prizes consisted of two handsome inkntande, which were muoh admired. At 6.30 p.m. the proceedings were brought to a olose by Mr Edeon, the Chairman of the Committee, thanking those who had contributed to the success of the affair, and the gathering dispersed after cheers had been given for the committee, the teacher, the ladiea who had provided refreshments, Mr Hood for 'his iindefatigable exertions to promote the enjoyment of all, Mr MoOlimont for the use of h'ejpaddook, and Messrs W. S. Peter, Orr, Mitchell and Turner and the' Public Sports Committee for the prizeß they had presented. It was found impracticable, owing to their number, to present all the prizes, and many., were consequently held over for next year.

The best medicine known is SANDER and SONS' EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. Tests ita iminent powerful effects in coughs, colds, influenza, eto. —the relief is instantaneous. Thousands give the most gratifying testimony, Bis Majesty the King of Italy, and medical uytiuicates all over the globe, are its patrons. Bead the official reports that accompany each bottle. We have no occasion to offer rewards in proof of the genuineness of our referenoee. The official reports of medioal clinics and universities, the official communication of the Oonsul-General for Italy at Melbourne; the diploma awarded International Exhibition, Amsterdam—all these are authentic' doouments, and, as ouch, not open to doubt. Wa add here epitome of one of the various oases treated by Siegen, M.D., Profeßsor, etc., Burning of the right hand through the explosion of a small oil stove. The epidermis on the volar and palmer side of the hand of t;he thirty-year-old patient was completely separated and lifted up as far as the joint cf the hand. The likewise lifted nails were banging loose, and half of the phalanx of the nail of the middle finger was coaled. Tha wounds thus contracted healed in three weeks ijnder daily applications of Eucalyptio Extraot dressing. The patient has retained the full use of the band.— (Advt.) 1