Local and General News.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 212, 11 March 1896, Page 2

Local and General News.

• I A letter for " Eureka" is at tho Star i Office. j An •excursion train with the Woodville school children went through to Wanganui this morning. Two members of the spieling fraternity j were sentenced to three months' imprisonment at Wanganui. While engagad in a friendly boxing match with a comrade at Springsure, Queensland, n, shearer named Harry Rosen dropped dead from heart disease. Nominations for the Feilding Autumn Race Meeting, all events, close with the Secretary on Saturday next at 8.30 p.m. The telegraph office closes at 5 p.m. Buyers before purchasing elsewhere should visit Sherborne House as they are busy from morning till night unpacking and marking off new goods direct from London. The finder of a parcel containing a pair of black trousers, with braces, lost on the Feilding-Bunuythorpe road, is requested to return the same to the Star office. The new erections and purchases of churches, etc., in the Wesleyan Methodist districts of New Zealand i'or the year totals £5,780 18s sd, and the debt is £1,634 10s 4d. The old established firm of Levin and Co.. of Wellington, has been formed into a limited liability company. Mr Pearce, the senior partner, who is about to leave for England, will be absent for a little over a year. — Post. Consequent upon the number of bald heads in that country the barbers in some towns in Germany are compelled by law to cleanse and disinfect their brushes, combs, and razors immediately after use, and before they are applied to the hair or beard of another customer. Jane Francisca Sprunzu Wilde, widow of the late Sir William Robert Willis Wilde, surgeon oculist to Her Majesty in Ireland, and mother of Oscar Wilde, died in February. It is said her heart was broken by her son's disgrace. The largest estates dealt with by the Public Trustee last month were those of B. J. Hotharu, Auckland, £2500 ; W. M. Mowatt, £1100 ; E. A. Gunderson, Lyttelton, £390 ; P. Richards, Palmerston North, £150; E. A. Inwood, Burwood, £150. With reference to a rumcur that the Hon W. ftolleston was to be asked to become a candidate for the Ashley seat, it is understood that there is no likelihood of that gentleman going north of Christchurch to contest a seat If he comes out at all it will probably be for the Raugitata constituency, in opposition to Mr Maslin. There was a good deal of excitement in Woodville on Tuesday, 3rd inst., and the unexpected visit of the Premier had nothing whatever to do with it. The contractor for sinking the well in McLean Street struck washdirt at a depth of 24ft, and when some of it was panned off by an experienced miner, the colour was plainly visible. One dish revealed no less than seven specks. After this who will say the bottom is knocked out of Woodville?— Examiner. The following telegram was sent to the Hon. R. Seddon, Defence Minister :— " Proposal on foot and gaining ground here to establish a defence rifle club, similar to that of the Transvaal Boer Burghers, armed with Lee-Metford rifles, without much organisation or military drill. Could you offer any suggestions and indicate what assistance Government would give in the way of arms and ammunition, and the use of range ? A public meeting to be called early. Reply. — Geo. Fowlds, Auckland." Molasses are coming into prominence, as cattle food in Germany. Cows, particularly, devour the sweetened provender with the greatest relish. The food is claimed to be both healthful and economical. By a simple natural process during assimilation the sugar in the motasses ferments and becomes what is known as rum — a liquor at one time much affected by mariners. By this means when the lacteal fluid is drawn from the cow by the ordinary process, a soothing, but somewhat intoxicating drink is given. The strides of science are immense. The Timaru Herald has been informed that contracts have been let for the carting of a large quantity of grain from the Rangitata and Temuka districts by road this year to Timaru at a less cost than for railing it. Last season the same thing occurred. Grain was carted from six miles beyond Temuka at 5d per sack while the railway charge alone from Temuka is equal to 4£d per sack, and the carriage by road saves a lot of double handling. The contracts let up to the present will represent the haulage of 50,000 bushels, possibly more if the contractors can handle the stuff. Says the Shannon Farmer : —Some of the Maoris in this district are systematically raising money on horses. One will tender the horse as security for an amount of money — probably the worth of the horse— and shortly after another Maori comes along and claims the horse as his. If lie cannot get delivery he takes it by stealth. One or two cases have been under our notice recently, and a charge of raising money under false pretences will be preferred against the one who raised a sum on a horse. It will do these smart fellows good to go to gaol for a month or two. An invitation social in connection with the Loyal Manchester Lodge of Oddfellows was held in the Foresters' Hall last evening, when the room was crowded. The music for the dancing was supplied by the Oddfellows' Orchestra, who made their appearance before an audience for the first time last evening, under the condactorship of Mr S. Daw, and played very creditably. Mr C. Aitken made an efficient M.C. During the evening songs were given by Messrs F. Beechey and A. Durant. The reunion was a decided success in every way and everyone present thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The year 1895 will be memorable in literary annals (writes the London correspondent of a contemporary) for one fact, a publisher mentioned to me with pardonable pride. It saw the signing of contracts whereby three novelists divided among them for as many works the sum of £27,000. These fortunate toilers in a field that others till with quite different results are Mr Dv Maurier, who received from Messrs Harper £10,000 for bis novel to succeed " Trilby "; Mrs Humphrey Ward, who sold her forthcoming book for a similar sum ; and Mr Conan Doyle, who receives from Sir George Newnes the modest sum of £7000 for a novel. The Pohangina County Council invite tenders to be sent in to Mr H. J. Hayns, Engineer to the County Council, at Palmerston North, up to 2 p.m on Friday, March 20th, or to Cotincil office, Pohangina, up to 11 a.m on Saturday, the. 2lst March. 16-36, for Contract 89, formation, metalling, and britige in Awahou riding. Contract 90, 90 feet bridge osrer, Dundas' creek. Contract 91, formation, metalling, and bridge in Tamaki riding. Contract 92, metalling 80' chains in Tamaki riding. Contract 83, formation, metalling, ahd fsmall bridgo ju Taasski riding. Contract 94^or motion and metalling Branch road near Birmingham. Plans andspecifixations for cgatract 94 at Mr TowpJuaw Fosrleji-s ; $?.q either plans and speciJicaliotJS to foe seen #£ Mr P- aimers', Raumai, or. Eugineei'sofiioei Palmerston North.

Our readers are reminded of tiu| meeting to be held at the offices of Messrs ; Wood and Judkins, Kimbolfcon road, this evening, in connection with the StarrBowkett Building Society. A new Plymouth resident, Mr R. H. Wane, met with a sndden death ou Saturday evening last through being choked by the stone of a plum. He arrived from England about three months ago. Mr Robert Mcßeth, of Birmingham, gives notice that he has placed twelve sheep in the Birmingham saleyards. If not claimed by tbe 14th instant and expenses of advertising paid they will be placed in the Cheltenham pouud. On the Tennis Courts in the Gents' Championship Brabant beat 1816 ; in the handicaps, Bryce (received £ 15) beat Fribere (received | 30) 6-2 x 7-5 ; Rev. Innes Jones (received 15) beat Stewart (received | 15) 6-5 x 6-5. The year 1895 was distinguished in London by witnessing the largest total of capital in applications by Companies since the year 1890 the total being i' 104,690,000 against £91,835,000 in 1894, and £59,141,000 in 1893. At a general meeting of the members of the Feildiug Club, held last night, it was resolved to erect a suitable building forthwith ou the Kimbolton road, opposite the Pines. The plans have been prepared by Mr James, architect, and the new Club Houss will be an ornament to the town. A gentleman who saw the train passing this morniug with ibe school children said the little ones were clustered like bees on the platforms of the carriages. He pointed ont that if nuy accident happened to one of thorn, tho excursion would be spoiled aud a family put in mourning. The death is recorded of one of the oldest and most respected settlers in the Upper Tutaenui, in the person of John Griff en, senr., who passed away yesterday afternoon, at his residence, after a short iiiness. The decease^ who was 76 years of age, leaves a widow, and a large grown up family. Tickets for the excursion to Wanganui on Monday next may be obtained from the Secretary, Mr A. W. Parker, the chairman, Mr Worsfold, and at the school between 3 and 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. The fare will be Is 3d for children aud 2s 3d for adults to Wanganui, and 4d from Wauganui to Castlecliff Mr R Heald makes a start this week with the erection of a produce store and offices at Messrs Bartholomew Bros.' timber yard, Kimbolton road, for Mr T. Watson. The building will have access to the railway siding, aud should prove exceedingly convenient. Messrs Bartholomew Bros, are also making additions to their business premises. A friend in Feilding hasbeen informed by a correspondent in Auckland that Mr F. Perkins (formerly a resident in Feilding) and Miss Perkins — brother and sister — the members of whose family were drowned by a boat accident some little time ago, are seriously ill wfth typhoid fever, supposed to have resulted from handling the bodies of their dead relatives. The privileges in connection with the Sandon Hack Race Meeting on the 17th March, were sold yesterday, by Messrs Gorton and Son at their Bulls sale yards, The prices realised were :— Gates £35, Mr Younger ; Lawn and Saddling Paddock. £30, Mr Jensen ; No.l Grand Stand Booth and Luncheon Room, £12, Mr Barret (Feilding) ; No. 2 Booth and Luncheon Room, £8 ss. Mr Barret (Colyton) No. 3 Refreshmentßootn, £4 15s Mr E. Reed. The race cards were not sold. Messrs Wood and Judkins announce that they will hold an auction sale of produce, goods, etc., at their mart, Kimbolton road, on Saturday next, at 1 p.m sharp. The collection advertised is a good one. The rights of the luncheon and refreshment booths at the Temperance Demonstration on Easter Monday will also be sold. Entries are invited. Whilst a mob of sheep was being driven down the Kimbolton road recently, the dnying dog attempted to hurry up an old ewe which appeared to be lagging behind The ewe resented the mterferanceby turning round and butting and biting the dog with such effect that he ran to the rear howling with pain. This ewe is evidently an old sale yard leader. The incident caused sotao atuusecnent to tlioeo who witnessed it. The most popular of our local amateurs in musical circles have responded liberally in offering their services for the benefit concert for Friday evening, and we note that circumstances seem to have favored the evening chosen. Fine weather seems assured and being a sale day and with a very superior and novel programme a great success should result. The programme of the concert in aid of Mr G. Leeoh will be published in tomorrow's issue. Some considerable amount of misconception appears to exist respecting an order which has been issued prohibiting the police giving any information to the press. We learn that this prohibition only applies to departmental matters and not to police intelligence, though in some cases the police have interpreted it to refer to such. It appears that it has been customary for press representatives in certain centres to overhaul the police correspondence, and it is to deal with this that the order in question has been issued. — N.Z. Times. An enthusiastic meeting of Temrjerance workers met in the Temperance Hall last evening. Mr Dixon, of Bunnythorpe, in the chair. A representative committee was elected to see to all arrangements in connection with the Easter Monday Demonstration. Mr W. G. Shearer, who has done so well in the past, was prevailed on to continue his services as secretary, assisted by two others selected for the purpose. Instructions were given to invite the ablest men obtainable to address the large gathering expected to assemble on the sports ground on that occasion. Urgent letters are to be written to all kindred Temperance Societies on the coast to induce them to unite in making this big demonstration. The privileges of catering for this large gathering will be offered for sale by Messrs Wood and Judkins on Saturday next.