The Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) WEDNESDAY; JULY 29, 1885. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 51, 29 July 1885, Page 2

The Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.)

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1885. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast.

On our fourth page to-day will be found a quantity of additional news by the 'Frisco Mail. Messrs Halcornbe and Sherwill's stock . sale at their Ashurst Yards takes place, to-morrow. It is officially notified that the Industrial Exhibition will be formally opened on Saturday, at 2.30 p m., and on that day it will be kept open until 10 p.m. The charge for admission in the daytime will be 2s 6d and at night 1s. Season tickets will be issued for 30s. Some Roman Catholic priests in the arch diocese of Boston, actively interested in temperance work, are preparing a petition, to be presented during the present session of the Legislature, asking for the passage of a law prohibiting the sale of liquor within 400 yards of a church. We (Manawatu Herald) are informed that the completion of the tramway to Sanson is being watched for with great interest by storekeepers, settlers, and others at the other end of the line, and it is by no means improbable the Bulls traffic may not go over the line. A settler who lives about two miles past the present terminus informs us that the freight on half a ton of goods from Wellington to Campbelltown cost him but 18s. Facts like this should help to popularise the line. A witness in a case heard at the Court at Napier the other day gave a very funny excuse for perjury when "bowled out." After being forced to admit that she had told a falsehood, she naively observed, "I didn't mean it, yer Wasli up—I forgot tuk the oath for a minute." A shipment of 2500 tons of raiIs for the Manawatu Railway is now being brought to the colony by direct steamers. The rails are for the Shannon contract, and tenders are now out for the conveyance of the first parcel of 246 tons from Wellington to Shannon.

Matters in connection with the proposed Masonic Lodge are progressing. Various initiatory proceedings are being carried out, and we may shortly expect to hear of a charter being applied for. The Committee are at present making enquiries as to a suitable lodge room, and it is not improbable one may be built. At a meeting of the general committee for the Fire Brigade Demonstration held in Napier last week, it was reported that 19 lists had been sent in showing £547 promised, and it was hoped that from the other 14, £200 would be obtained. The prize list was amended slightly, the total to be given amounting to £477 10s. In addition to this it was stated that a substantial prize would be given by the ladies of Napier for the ladder and rescue competition. It was resolved to divide a bonus of £60 amongst competing teams from Australia on condition that not less than three compete. Entries for the competition are to close on the 1st November, and the drawing for places will take place on the 2nd December.

The Maoris at Waitotara (says the Wanganui Herald) have found a ghastly relic in the shape of a human leg (left) with a sock attached to the foot. Notice was given them by Constable Lister yesterday as soon as the find was made but at present there seems to be no chance of ascertaining whence it came. The only person drowned here for some months past, whose body has not been found, was "Toby" the Maori fisherman, who was drowned at the Heads with "Scottie." It will be remembered that when the remains of the latter were found only one leg (the right) was attached to the body, so that this might possibly be the remaining member. On Monday afternoon (says the Star) an accident happened to a young man named Henry Curran, one of the sons of Mr Curran, settler, Makino Road. From what we learn, the youth was as usual bringing on a dray loaded with firewood towards Feilding, on the top of which he was riding. When passing the gra-vel-pit which is situate near Mr Gregory's residence the horse shied, and the cart was precipitated into the pit. The unfortunate young fellow was released from under the load, which it appears fell upon him. Dr Johnston was immediately sent for, when it was found that a piece of wood had entered the lower part of his body. The wound was stitched up and the sufferer received every attention, but when we last heard of his condition he was lying in a very precarious state. The postal note system introduced by Sir Julius Vogel, and accepted by the House, is shown by Hansard to consist of a scheme under which a man desiring to send money by post can purchase a note for from 1s to 1s 6d for 1/2d, up to 5s for 1d, and up to 20s for 3d ; such notes to be negotiable for a space of four months. The following detective officers will be drafted toWellington for Exhibition duty :-— Twohey ( Auckland), Neil (Christchurch), Kirby (Timaru), Grace (Napier), and Henderson (Dunedin) Chief -Detective Brown will be in charge of them. We (Star) understand the Salvationists have resolved to refund to the defendant in the case of Condon v, Belfit, the fine and costs imposed by the R.M. at the court last Wednesday, and a collection for that purpose was made at the barracks on Sunday evening last. It appears the object in the prosecution was not so much to secure the infliction of a penalty as to make an example of the case. A contributor to an exchange says : — Sir John Hall's return will be hailed with general satisfaction by New Zealand politicians. He has been, in his absence, a downright loss to his party, and if on his return to politics, and most probably the premiership, he would, only behave with common sense, and not work himself to death, the colony would in all probability be the gainer of many years of his useful life. The province of Auckland, with a population of 111,806 at the close of 1884, shows 4,232 births, 981 marriages, and 1,440 deaths for that year. The number of marriages in the province for the year named is in excess of that of Otago and Canterbury, not withstanding the larger population of the two latter provinces. The number of illegitimate births for the year is 128, or a little over three per cent of the entire number of births. There were 47 twins, but only one case of triplets Wellington also boasts of one case of triplets.

Bacon during has become quite the rage, says a correspondent to the Taranaki News, Mr J. Stevens (Bulls) has one or two hundred breeding sows Mr Cummins, Wanganui, is curing no less than one (or more) thousand carcases this season. Mr C. knows his business, and is one of the best in the trade, and will have none but dairyfed animals. At Nelson, Greymouth, Hokitika, Christchurch, Stanmore and other places resolutions have been passed expressing satisfaction at the success likely to attend the efforts of the delegates for the East and West Coast Railway, and requesting members for these districts to assist the Government in carrying through the proposals made. At the last meeting of the Wellington Waste Lands Board plans of the township of Hunterville were laid on the table. After some discussion as to how the land should be dealt with, it was resolved that it should be disposed of under the village settlement clauses of the Land Act 1874. The land will be sold on deferred payments or leased. Of the Premier's Education Statement the Auckland Star says :—Taken as a whole, the Statement is an exceedingly able one—the best on the subject that has ever been published m New Zealand — and we very heartily endorse the wish expressed in the House yesterday that it should be printed in extenso for general circulation among teachers and other persons who are interested in the work of national education. The Gaming and Lotteries Act Amendment Bill, which has finally passed both houses will become law on the 1st January next. It will prevent any sweeps, lotteries, or consultations being advertised in the colony, and render liable to heavy penalties every person who is in any way concerned in transactions of the kind. It, however, legalises small private sweepstakes such as under the present Act Sir William Fitzerherbert was some three years ago, fined for taking part in. Messrs Stevens and Gorton have become the purchasers of the premises now occupied by Messrs Halcombe and Sherwill. The purchasers will take possession in September. -Star. Dr Russel, the well-known Tinies correspondent, has a very high opinion of the oratorical powers of the Prince of Wales. "There are few men in England (he says in Harper's) who can make so good & speech, as the Prince of Wales." He did not become so good a speaker all at once, though his voice is singularly far reaching, clear, pleasant, and his delivery simple and dignified. Only by persistent practice " he acquired command of language and a felicity of expression which commend his matter to the most critical." His speeches at charitable dinners are so successful that he makes the fortune of an institution on such occasions. Dr Russel ought to know, for he has heard the Prince as often as any man living.

Two Irishman, on a sultry night, immediately after their arrival in India, took refuge underneath the bedclothes from a skirmishing party of mosquitoes. At last one of them, gasping for breath, ventured to peep beyond the blankets, and by chance espied a fire-fly which had strayed into the room. Arousing his companion with a kick, he said, " Fergus, Fergus, it's no use. Ye might as well come out. Here's one of the crayters looking for us with a lantern !" Messrs : - Stevens and Gorton's stock sale at the Awahuri Sale Yards takes place next Tuesday, August 4th. The catalogue appears in another column. The Waitara correspondent of the News states that a Maori woman named Pipi accidentally injured her spine in getting over a fence at Matatawa on Monday last. Information of the occurrence was sent to the Waitara police, and Constables Day and Gillespie proceeded to the pah with an express, and the sufferer was taken to the New Plymouth Hospital. Anything that could possibly be done for her comfort was done by the police. It is believed that the woman is a sister of the great chief Te Whiti. Not one of the Maoris living near would assist the unfortunate woman, and one of the Natives tried to make stay were she was by beating her with a stick.