Local & General News.

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 70, 15 November 1883, Page 2

Local & General News.

• In England over 5000 bicycles a>-e used in the mail service, aud there are at least 250,000 Kn-lish wheelmen. Our correspondent informs us that the Bulls Horticultural So iety's Spring Show will be held on Tuesday, the 27th instant. We remind all interested of the sale by auction of the privileges in connection with the annual Feilding Sports. The sale will be by Messrs Halcombe and Sherwill, at their auciion rooms, to-mor-row afternoon at 3 o'clock. In 1882 the average of births in Victoria in proportion to the population was lower than in any o.tier Ausirtihan colony. The South Australians had tiie highest average. Queensland had the highest percentage of deaths, and New j Zealand the lowest. Mr Batterbee, brother-in-law of Mr Bauckham, of Makino road, met with a nasty accident this morning, while working in the bush. A sharp tawa stake ran deeply into his left hand between the thumb and forefinger, rendering the attention of Dr Johnston necessary. A gentleman made a rockery in front of his house, in which he planted some beautiful ferns, and having put up the following notice, found it more efficient ani less expensive than spring-guns and man-traps. The fear inspiring inscription was : " Beggars beware ! Scoiopendriums and Polydiums are set here." The London Society papers announce the engagement of the Hon. Ivo Bligh, who captained the last gentlemen's cr<cket team in Australia, to Miss Florence Morphey, of Melbourne; and of Mr Tylecote (another cricketer) to Miss Clarke, daughter of the millionaire, Sir William Clarke. A few days ago a valuable Aj^esbary duck was observed to be feeding apparently in perfect health. It suddenly evinced considerable uneas'-oess aod after a few s'ruggles it dropped dead. Oa examination it was d'scovered that iv swallowng a bee it bad beens-'ung in the throat, and the » welling that ensued had suffocated it. We again call attention to the meeting to be held in the Makino road Schoolhouse, to-morrow evening, at 7 o'clock, for the purpose of discussing the advisableness ot starting a Butter Ynctorj at Makino. We need not repeat our opinion expressed in Tuesday's issue on the desirableness nnd practicability of the scheme, and we feel quite sure that the meeting will be largely atteuded, especially by Makino settlers, which, indeed, would only be fair to those who are taking such a warm interest in the project. Mr Poland (says a Dublin telegram) has been instructed to prosecute for the Crown in O'Donnell's case. Everything points to the revelations at the polio court for the trial in November being of a very remarkable nature. Mrs Cnrey, it is stated, volunteered evidence of an astounding nature, and she declares she will clear the character of the farther of her children now (hat he is gone. She has handed over letters lo the authorities, including a correspondence with a member of Parliament. The regular monthly mcc.ing ol Lodge Manawatu Ki'winnmg, No. 690, S. C. was held last evening, the K.W.M, Bro J. Herbert Hankins, presiding. The election of officers resulted os follows : — R.W.M., Bro W.H.Smith; W.D.M.. BroS. M. George; S.W., Bio G. M. Snellen; J. W. Bro J. Walkley ; Treasurer, Bro H. S. Ea. merston; Secretary, Bro J. Peterson I S.D., Bro A. Ferguson; J.D., Bro Rutherford ; Organist, Bro R. Coker: Stewards, Bros Hanna and VI eyrick; 1.G., Bro A. Stewart; Tyler Bro T. Sch lager. — Mawawaiu Times. A remarkable escape from death by lightning was experienced by a little boy named Milne on the platform of the Wanganui Rai way Station on Tuesday afternoon just before the departure of the train for Feilding. After a vivid flash the little fellow was seen to totter, and when picked up by his father it was found that the electric fluid had actually passed across his face, causing a livid white lino on both cheeks which presented a remarkable appearance. Many passengers witnessed* the occurrence, some of whom attributed his escape from death to the fact that the concrete platform completely insulated him from the earth, thus offering no facility to the ourrent passing downward through his body. Beyond being frightened and nervous for some lime it is not thought any bad results will ensue. ■.!■.. * ■■ ....,...,._...., :.,.,,. av^

Tlie •..■•iniated population of Ireland at the Add:., of the year 1882 was 5,037,730. During thatyear 89,136 persons emigrated from Ireland. Our local cricketers are reminded that there will be a practice match on Saturday afternoon. Sides will be picked on the ground at 2 o'clock, and it is hoped there will be a good number so as to allow two full eleven to be chosen. At a meeting of the Hospital Management Committee yesterday, at Wanganui, it was resolved, on the motion ol Mr Lethbridge, seconded by Mr Simpson, that the Hospital staff expenses be borne in equal proportions by the contributing bodies, Wanganui Borough paying equal to two of such bodies. Tbe latest American curiosity is a free railway. At Oakland, in Coloiado, a railway company wanted to run iheir line through the principal street. The citizens made tiie concession on condition that no fares should be collected for rides within the limits of the town. Mr Vesey Stewart's fourth party, from England, is growing slowly, perhaps, but surely. Amongst the passengers by the Northumberland who may settle at the Bay of Plenty are Miss Mansell and nephew, Mrs Dobie, mother of the unfortunate lady murdered by a Maori some years ago, and Col. Dowall. A force of bailiffs and police, accompanied by a magistrate, went to a place called Tegat, some miles from Kells. a few days ago, to evict a tenant on the property of Mr Farrell, D.L. The house, however, was found to be barricaded with large stones, and the occupants threw stones and boiling water from tho windows on thfc bailiffs and police. The father of tho High School girl had a long discussion the other night with a politician, and after the latter had gono sho remarked, quoting from Shakspeare : • He draweth out the thread of his verboiity finer than the staple of his argument.' ' Well,' replied the old man, ' I don't understand the dead languages, but if you are trying to say he is a crank, I I'm with you every time.' !