Local & General News.

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 82, 13 December 1883, Page 2

Local & General News.

The Rev. Mr Tudor will conduct service in St. John's Ol'.urch on Sunday next. We regret to record the death on last Tuesday of Mrs Perkins, wife of Mr E. W. Perkins, solicitor, of Palmerston. Halcombe and Sherwili advertise a gigantic sale of jewellery on Saturday next, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, tit their sale rooms, Fergusson street. Professor Josenh N". Lockyer, F.R.S., the well-known astronomer, attributes the present remarkable sunsets to the presence in the atmosphere of volcanic dust from the Java eruptions. We learn that the letter box placed at the Borough Council office for the " ac- | commodation" of the public is not much appreciated, and is very little used after all. It is oftner found to be empty than otherwise at the appointed times of opening. As will be seen by advertisement, Mr Vivian will hold an auction sale on Saturday next on the premises formerly occupied by the Borough Council. The goods to be offered will consist of a large stock of drapery, clothing, boots, and a variety of other articles. The Tangahoo contract on the HaweraManutahi railway has been secured by Mr W.G. Bassett, the price being L2f,825. The Government are to be congratulated on securing so good and trustworthy a man as contractor, and the work of completing " the gap" will now go ou without further trouble. — Chronicle. The Egmont Courier says — At a meeting at Waitaraa resolution was passed in favor of abolishing ail the Road Boards, and entrusting the whole of the road works to the County Council. In nearly every other place, where public meetings have been held, resolutions were passed in favor of abolishing the County Council. We are glad to find that the Makino Cheese and Butter Company are to have the benefit of the instruction and advice of Mr Bowron in starting their factory. Mr Corpe has received from that gentleman a letter to say that he intends visiting the district at an early date for the purpose of rendering his assistance to the project. There was quite a crush on the railway platform on Tuesday evening to witness the arriyal of the two horse theives by the train from Wanganui. If the crowd expected to see two heroic looking ruffians, they were miserably dissappointed, for the prisoners presented the most contemptible appearance, being neither more nor less than larrikins of a very low order. A correspondent to the ' hronicle contradicts the statement that 100 empty houses existed in Patea. He writes that the report is not true, about a third of that amount would be nearer the mark, and these are merely shanties which did duty when no better houses were to be got. Patea has a good future before it when its business people become thoroughly acquainted with its capabilities. We call attention to the Service of Song at Feilding Presbyterian Church, and the Concert at Taonui School, both to take place to-morrow evening at 8 o'clock. It is almost a pity the two entertainments clash. They are both for good objects, and probably some persons would have liked to attend at each. We, however, commend them to the residents of each place respectively and have no doubt they will both be well patronised. On Tuesday afternoon last, Mr Pete..* Bartholomew met a painful accident in the timber yard of his firm, near the railway station. We learn that he was assisting at the removal of a heavy log of timber, when it slipped and fell heavily upon him, crushing one of his legs severely and inflicting severe contusions, fortunately without fracturing any of the bones. Although the hurt is painful and will confine the sufferer to the house -for a few days, we are glad to know the injuries are not dangerous. A rather amusing circumstance occurred the other day in connection with the Feilding horse case, heard yesterday. A young man of Awahuri, and a youth of Feilding, both well-known, were riding together to Wangnnui on business. From a description he got of them at Turakina, Constable Coyle, of Marton, thought he had his prey, and suon caught up with the innocent travellers. After getting into a familiar and confidential chat, he offered to trot them, which they refused. On the trio reaching Wangaehu, the constable discovered his error, and was put on to what he regarded as rather stronger scent, leaving his companions to juietly pursue their journey. In connection with the case a young man of Feilding named Gange had the " 'plea-:, jure "of passing a night in durance vile, Out was liberated ..next morning on eviience being given that he was. not the party * waft*!! ' ' _ :■ -.•" \

The editor of the London Times is said to receive L2OUO a year as salary, with free chambers in Serjeant's Inn. Over 200 British, American, and German missionaries in Chinihave addressed a petition to the British Government, praying for the abolition of the opium trade. The request of the petitioners is not likely to be granted while the trade is so profitable. Messrs Murray, Roberts and Co., of Wellington, yesterday received the following cablegram from their London house : — " London, Bth December. — The sales have closed without animation at prices about equal to the opening rates, faulty and coarse crossbreds selling badly." On Sunday next the Manchester Rifles will meet at the Town Hall at 10 a.m. sharp side arms only, to march in funeral procession to St. John's Church, in respect to the memory of the late volunteer Alfred Dawson. As this parade is intended as a last token of respect and esteem for the deceased, it is earnestly requested that every man will fall in. The Band will head the procession to the church.