LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 68, 10 February 1883, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Rev. R. Fennell, on behalf of the Temperance bodies, has sent to each hotel-keeper in the Borough a warning, to the effect that a vigilance committee has been formed to secure the enforcment of the prohibitive clauses of the Licensing Act. We have received copies-of the British Mail, from the publishers in London, of the Graphic from Mr John Plummer of Sydney, and of The International Reporter from Mr H . P. Hubbard of the International Newspaper Agency, New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.A.

The ball last night was not well attended, and it is feared the promoters will not find it a financial success. Certain goods that were removed from the warehouse of Mr G. Crichton, under process of law, have been recovered, and are once more in the possession of the rightful owner. We regret to have to record tbat a fatal fire occurred at Auckland on Wednesday last, by which two lives, those of a restaurant-keeper mimed White, and a woman named Mary O'Neil, were lost. A large amount of property was also destroyed. Mr Hamilton, as will be seen by his new advertisement, has made still further reductions at his cheap drapery store in Manchester Square. The remarkably low prices quoted by Mr Hamilton should prove a big attraction to buyers. The Palmerston North Horticultural Society advertise their exhibition of flowers, plants, &c, to take place on Thursday, the 22nd instent. We are in a position to state that this show will far exceed anything of the kind that has ever been witnessed in Palmerston. The committee are sparing no exertions to carry out the programme. As will be seen from the altered advertisement of the Makino Steam Sash and Door Factory and Plaining and Moulding Mill, Mr C. Polts, the late manager, has now purchased the business, and in future will conduct it on his own account. We are pleased _to learn that the business has considerabl}' increased since publicity was given to it in our columns, and we wish Mr Potts still further success in his new venture. An advertisement headed, '* Are you insured ; if not, why not?," will be found in another column. The question is an important one to many, and Mr R. Austin, who is at present staying in Feilding, undertakes to throw some light on the subject, and to settle the business in a practical way for all who will patronize the institution he represents, viz., the National Mutual Life Association. We shall be glad to j lace any persons desirons of providing for the future in communication with the advertiser. During the hearing of the case, Roots v. Jones, on Thursday, the conduct of the prisoner Jones while in the dock was very eccentric, and excited feelings of pity in the minds of spectators in the Court. He would listen with an appearance of marked attention to the proceedings, then he would turn towards the people and putting a silver coin lo his eye, would grimace in an 'absurd manner. The good feeling of those who noticed the poor fellow was displayed in the fact tnat not even a smile was excited. At the stock sale at Carnarvon yesterday the following prices were realised: — 80 Pure-bred rams 10s 6d to 475. 2-tooth Lincoln Rams, reserve 2 guineas, were passed in, but were disposed of after the sale. Prime fat bullocks, 150s ; prime fat cows, 100s; store cows with calves, 72s 6d ; 2-year-old steers passed In at 59s ; reserve was 60 ; fat wethers 10s to 13s 4d ; ewes, 7s to 10s ; lambs, 3s 9d ; hacks, £3 to £15. Luncheon w_s'provided on a most liberal scale and was done full justice to by the visitors. , We are sorry to learn that the Rev T. Sadler will not be permitted to fulfil the usual term of three years' ministry as pastor of the Primitive Methodist Church in Feilding, the Conference haviugdecided to remove him to Oamaru. Mr Sadler has many friends in the town and district, who will regret having to part with ' him so soon. It may, howevor, be some gratification for them to learn that the Rev Mr Clover who resided here some 3 or 4 years since, and was much liked by all who knew him, has been re-appointed to Feilding, where both himself and Mrs Clover will be warmly welcomed. Mr Clover is at present at Oamaru, and Mr Sadler proceeds thither to take his place. Very few persons, resident in Feilding, • availed themselves of the special train to' Carnarvon, for the very excellent reason that such sale was not advertised in the Feilding Star. The same may be said of the Wanganui Regatta, for no one seemed aware thai such an event was *' to the fore," and consequently not a single person went to witness it from Feilding. We have not the slightest doubt but that if the Feilding people had been made aware by advertisement in this journal, numbers would have availed themselves of the opportunity to patronise the Regatta, as they have done on all occasions when any similar events were made known through our columns. We notice that several of our leading citizens have donned the "Blue Ribbon," and amongst them is His Worship the Mayor. We have no doubt but that the good example thus given, will be followed by many other advocates and supporters of the cause of temperance. The badge in question consists of a very neat and tasteful scarf pin, the head of which is in imitation of a bow of blue ribbon, and bears tho words " Blue Ribbon Army," in gilt letters across the face. It'may be worn by either lady or gentleman, is usefull as well as ornamental, and is only sufficiently conspicuous to indicate the principles of the wearer. We should not be surprised if the wearing of the badge soon becomes quite popular, especially considering that the outlay of 2s in its purchase is so trifling a matter.

Mr J. Knowles, Under- Secretary for Public Works, has retired on a pension. He has been about twenty-seven years in the service of the colony. We understand that Mr Thompson, the newly-appointed Clerk to the Bench, is a good footballer, and will be a great acquisition to our local club. Mr Thompson leaves a good record in Wanganui. There are many stories flying about connected with the army of occupation in Egypt. A colouel, sauntering outside his camp, near the Ghezirah Palace, was I hailed by a sentry. " You must not go there, sir." "Do you see who I am — Colonel ?" " Yes sir I know. But the ' harm ladies ' are living in that house, ! and the orders are from Sir Garnet that he is not to be let go in there himself it j he wants to." At the Dartmoor convict establishment recently a desperate attempt was made by a convict named William Murray upon the life of a warder named Kelly. Murray was one of a small gang employed in a quarry outside the prison, aud after they had returned from dinner, he made an attack upon the warder, nnd while they were struggling on the ground the officer's rifle was discharged and tbe convict was shot. He died almost iinmei diately. A sergeant of police entered a certain hostelry in Sydney one Sunday lately. As he put foot in the house he observed "three long beers" on the counter, and several apparent customers sitting round. The publican was equal tc the occasion. He sang out to his son, " Jem, I'm very thirsty to-day, and can drink the three pints you have just drawn for rae." And, taking up the "long sleevers," he swallowed them off one after the other, before the astonished officer could interfere. A short time ago a man who calls himself the Australian Blondin, announced that he would cross a portion of the Middle Harbour, at Sydney, with a bicycle on a tight rope 300 feet above the water. An immense crowd gathered to witness the feat. Owing to the unsteadiness of the rope, which, i-owever. was not above 30 feet from the water, the performer had much difficulty in balancing himself, and after he had gone 100 feet he fell into the water. He was promptly rescued, but did not make the attempt a second time. At the meeting of the Manawatu Connty Council on Tuesday, the Chairman, Councillor Rockstrow very courteously requested the reporters to withdraw while the Council went into committee on the legal point, as to whether a sertain sum of money just paid for rent of a reserve, but which it appears should have been paid earlier, should be received or not. It is quite unusual for representatives* of the Press at the meeting of any public body to be asked to retire while it goes into committee, and we believe it is the first time this has been done at the meetings of our own County Council. Actual discussions in committee are always understood to be not for publication, but there is generally sufficient confidence in pressmen to allow them to keep their seats during the interval of discussion. After the adjournment the Chairman was spoken to by some of the reporters on the matter, and that gentleman was understood to offer some explanation, and to intimate that it was not likely to occur again. ________________________