Notes and Events.

Manawatu Herald, 17 September 1895, Page 3

Notes and Events.

James Frank Gannaway, an exminister of the Congregational Church, has been arrested by the Oakleigh polioe on a grave charge. Gannaway is nearly 69 years old. He arrived in Victoria in 1881, and was stationed first at Geelong. He has a wife and 10 children. Owing to a scandal connected with his eldest daughter he left the ministry and settled in a quiet locality on the Dandenong Creek, about 10 miles from Oakleigh. His eldest daughter remained with him, but his wife and tbe rest of his family scattered far and wide, Mrs Gannaway going to New Zealand and the children to various colonies. The police have been making enquiries into Gaanaway's relations with his daughter recently. They found six children living with them, the eldest 14 and the youngest only born a few days back. In reply to queries about vaccination, Gannaway admitted that the children were his, but when he was arrested, under the Crimes Act, he strenuously denied the charge, though his daughter in his. presence admitted everything. The daughter is about 28. The accused collapsed on his way to the watchhouse,' and- w>«ow in the Melbourne Gaol hospital.— Australasian. The Advocate states that a singular phenomenon is exciting the in* terest of Turakina and district. This is the nightly appearance of a red light about the size of a red light of an engine, at a spot on tbe Turakina river side just below the railway line where it ascends tho hill. Ib was first observed about 18 months ago, but after appearing a few nights dis> appeared until quite recently. It is visable for only a quarter of an hour at a time, it is noticed to rise a few feet, and gradually descend again and disappear. Investigation of the spot furnishes no clue to the strange appearance. Half a crown an hour is the ordinary*"pay for a diver actually at work under water in the Thames, and a shilling an hour while he is above, tending a comrade working below. The men work in turns, four hours above and four hours below in the course of the day, and they can make about four guineas a week. Six pounds a week is not an unusual sum for one of them to earn indeed, that seems to be the general rate for good men when things are brisk. Mr J. G. Wilson, M.H.8., has re ceived copies of resolutions from every local body in the constituency asking that the Local Govei'timent Bill should be delayed till another session. Mr Wilson states that he does not think there is the slightest chance of it coming on, but if it did he would certainly oppose it, to enable the people interested to carefully study it. There will be an almost total eclipse of the sun next Thursday, beginning at 629 am. The middle is at 8.14 a.m. ; the end at 9.59 a.m. The eclipsed sun will look about as large as the moon is when five days old. The only things to be noticed will be the ragged edge of the moon as its mountains, are. thrown up by the brightness of the sun's disc, and a possible lessening of the daylight and temperature.