Local and General News.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 172, 19 January 1895, Page 2

Local and General News.

The Kiwitea County Council is sitting as we go to press this afternoon. The first instalment of the call of £8 6s 8d on Bank of New Zealand shares is due and payable on February Ist. We learn that the marriage of Colonel Fox and Miss Cora Russell will take place on the 6th February.— Hawke's Bay Herald. Lieutenant T. H. James has resigned hi.s commission in the Manawatu Mounted Rifie Corps. A lawn tennis tournameufc is being played at the local courts this afternoon. Notice is given by the Mayor, Mr W. A. Sandilands, that, by a special resolution of the Borough Council, AVednesday has been appointed the weekly half-holiday under the " Shop aud Shop Assistants Act, 1894." The Royal Variety Company will appear in the Assembly Rooms on Tuesday next when they will give tlieir unique (-.utertainment consisting of sketches, burlesque acting, singing, and dancing. The bill of fare is an ample one and promises to be very attractive. The Manchester Rifles had a very successful parade on Thursday night. Sergt-Major Macmillan gave the recruits some useful instruction. A company parade will be held next Thursday evening when all members must be ; present. Lieut-Col. Newall will inspect ' the Corps on Thursday the 31st inst. We regret to learn that owing to illhealth consequent upon overwork, Judge Kettle has been advised by his medical attendant, Dr Saunders, to apply for three months' leave of absence. We trust his Honor will return to his duties at the expiry of his leave in restored health, as the i district could ill afford to lose so capable, and painstaking a judge,- Herald, The first anniversary of the Primitive Methodist Church at Colyton will be celebrated on Sunday next, when the Rev. Mr Grindly will preach. A tea meeting will be held on Tuesday, the 22nd instant, at which a number of ministers and friends will take part. ■ Tea will commence at six o'clock, the proceeds of whjcb'.will be applied to the augojeutatjou of the. Trust Fuud.

The strength of a horse is equal on an average to tbat of seven and a half men. 1 The Marton and Colyton cricket clubs are playing a Cup match on the "" Feilding ground to-day. There has been a marked improve- ] ment iv the price of stock in the Wairarapa since the drought was broken. A polo match, Feilding v Rangitikei, is being contested on the ground of the former this afternoon. Considerable interest is being taken in the game. A public meeting was held at Marton last night to discuss the half-holiday question. The voting resulted in tie, 52 being in favor of Saturday and 52 in fayor of Wednesday. At a recent meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Association, the following reinstatements were granted :— A. Smith (Palmerston North), H. V. Burton, A. Anderson, A. J. Webber and R. Oliphant (Auckland), P. J. Brown (Canterbury). On Thursday afternoon a boy John A. Hart, son of Mr Martin Hart, of Ashurst, while using an axe, struck the second and third lingers of his left hand. He was taken to the Palmerston Hospital when Dr Porter found it necessarj' to amputate the injured members. We learn that the canvass by His Worship the Mayor and Mr Cohen of the business places in tho Borough of Palmerston, regarding the half-holiday question, lias resulted as follows:— In favor of Wednesday, 85 ; in favor of Saturday, 55. The canvass included offices and factories. For several years past the Auckland Kauri Timber Company have been pushing their timber in the Home markets, and a competent man has been sent home t'i work np the trade. Stocks are kept at London, Liverpool, Glasgow, Greenock, Hnll and Belfast, and at the present time several large shipments are in course of preparation. An idiotic individual, says the Standard, who appeared to be bent upon a joke, played the ghost in Broad Street on Thursday night and nearly frightened several ladies out of their wits. His name is known, and it is not improbable that he will require to account to the Stipendiary Magistrate for his senseless and, indeed, dangerous freak. A picnic is to be held in Mr Ransom's paddock, at Campbelltown, ou Tuesday, on behalf of the Good Templars. This is an annual picnic among the Templars and as each member of the Excelsior Lodge is doing his utmost to make the affair a success, it is to be confidently expected many friends will attend. The meeting to be held iv the Hall in the evening will be doubtless a good one, as there are to be several prominent speeches, accompanied by recitations, songs, etc. The system of signalling trains known as the " Winter Block " was brought into operation at tlie railway stations between Wellington and Lower Hutt yesterday. The Winter Block system has been largely adopted in connection with railways in other parts of the world, and it is regarded as being as safe a method of train signalling as the fallibility of human nature can secure. Tlic establishment of a Block system on the Wellington suburban line has been long required. — Times.