General News

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 35, 25 November 1893, Page 8

General News

In connection with the Parliamentary elections it may be mentioned that in Invercargill the hours of polling are from nine a.m. to seven p.m., and in those of Mataura and Wallace from nine a.m. to six p.m. It has been suggested to us that as the general election falls on Tuesday it would be well to observe the weekly half-holiday on that day instead of Wednesday.

Mr and Mrs Gladstone have been married 54 years. The Southland County Council invite tenders for a number of works up to Ist December.

Mr J. Hatch means to win the Invercargill seat if hard work will tell. He has had large audiences on several occasions since Monday last, and has prepared a lively bill of fare for Monday night in the Zealandia Hall. The Registrar-general computes the number of women in the colony eligible for the franchise at 146,996, of whom 8592 are Maoris.

Mr J". W. Kelly and his supporters are working vigorously, and he has addressed a number of meetings in various parts of the electorate, with good results. He holds a final one iu the Theatre Royal on Monday night. A very handsome silver cup is on view in Mr N. J. M. Rein’s jeweller’s establishment just now. It has been supplied by him to the order of the M. M. and A. Co., who offer it to the "exhibitor who scores most points in Leicester sheep at the forthcoming show.

The annual show of the Southland A. and P. Society will te held this year on Tuesday and Wednesday, 12th and 13th December. Entries close at 8 p.m on 2nd December. The barqu* Royal Tar will take 200 single men to New Australia, in Paraguay. Owing io news received by cable from the new settlement, it has been decided to delay the further despatch of women for six months. Over 3000 members of the Colonising Company are now enrolled.

Severe storms have been experienced in Britain. Snowdrifts six feet deep are piled up in Essex. The storms stopped the Channel traffic and the running of many trains. A hundjad lives were lost on the French coast. Eight Hastings fishing boats were wrecked during the storm.

Calcutta advices state that the entire country is in a state of discontent and uneasiness. The natives are alarmed at the Opium Commission’s report, believing it will lead to fresh taxation, and that it is but the first step towards a compulsory change in their religion.

The fourth annual gathering of the Heddon Bush Sports Club will be held on 29th of December. The programme will comprise a combination of horse races and athletic sports, the former, including a hunter’s steeplechase. The prizes are on a liberal scale, and as the gathering is very popular in the district, and good management the rule, it may be taken for granted that there will be a big muster of athlete s and a good gathering of holiday makers.

The nomination of candidates for Parliamentary honours took place on the 20th inst. In several cases the late members have been Ha-elected without apposition—among them the Premier, the Colonial Treasurer, and Mr Allen. The elections take place on Twesday next.

• Glasson, who is to he hanged on the / 29th insb for t!ie Carcoar murders, is resigned to his doom, and declares that he is weary of waiting in torture.

V Some interesting facts and figure's in connection with the great coal strike at Home (now happily ended) are given in a letter in our correspondence columns.

At Tokonui (reports the Mataura Ensign) ~ one questioner asked if Mr Eichardson was in favour of opening public-houses for a. prescribed period on Sundays.—Answer : As the Almighty had given them six days in which to do all their labour, they could afford,, to keep ene day in seven away from the whisky.—(Great applause.) The Southern Standard reports that Mr, G-. McDonald’s . residence, near Knapdale, was burned down last Friday. Only a few articles of furniture were saved, and there was barely time to rescue the children. As it was, Mrs. McDonald has been badly burned about the- , head and face. The fire is said to be due to*, a defective chimney. •

Mr James Mackintosh addressed the Wallace electors at Heddon Eush on the evening • of the 15th inst. Mr Hassing presided, and there was a large attendance —no ladies, , a fact due probably to the unfavourable weather. At the close of a long address, no questions being forthcoming, the candidate ■ was awarded an unanimous vote of thanks and confidence supplemented by one of confidence in the present Government. The following evening Mr Mackintosh met. another large meeting at Drummond, and received an unanimous vote of thanks and', confidence.

Posters containing the programme to be given at the Southland Caledonian Society’s annual gathering are now being, distributed. The list of events numbers 37, and includes several bicycle races as well as the highly popular chopping and saw competitions. The programme as a whole should commend itself' to athletes, and induce an infusion oi new blood into the ranks of competitors. A young man named F. Stevens alias. Molloy, was committed for trial at Invercargill yesterday on a charge of stealing a horse belonging to ; J. Tait, Avenal. The accused*, was admitted to bail.

The attention of anglers is drawn to theadvertisement of Mr F. A. Steans in this issue. If there is anything they require in the paraphernalia of a fisherman they willjjdo well to pay him a visit. Mr Steans is an enthusiastic angler himself, and as a matter of; course has a good idea of what is treachery tothe fish in our streams. We were surprised to find so large a collection of angling, requisites in his shop. The wants of the fishermen of this district are well catered for.. He must be exacting indeed who cannot findi something to hit his fancy. We recommend, those interested to inspect for themselves. Mr Steans has issued a neat little pamphlet, which contains pr’ice list and some useful, receipts and practical hints to young anglers. He will be pleased to send a copy, post free,, on receipt of address. Probate was granted in London a few weeks ago in the will of the late Mr Joseph. Barrow Monteflore, formerly of South Australia, the value of the estate being sworn at £i ,250,000. Mr Monteflore was the son. of Eliezer Monteflore, and a cousin of thedistinguished Sir Moses, who. died a few years ago, and his brother Mr Jacob Monteflore,. who is a year older, and is the only surviving member of that generation of the family. The latter was one of the commissioners of for colonising Australia, and the two brothers traded in partnership during the early daysof colonisation, and acquued town allotmentsat Adelaide. The property thus acquired when the site of the city was a waste, now includes many banks, and insurance offices,, and other buildings, and it need hardly be said that it is of great value. In the course of his speech at Gore thePremier stated that he had been advised that the railways would not revert to the Government on the expiry of the term of the present commissioners, but the Government were freeto appoint any persons they chose in place of Messrs M'Kerrow, Maxwell, and Hannay.

.-. The N. M. and A. Co. hare received a cablegram from America stating that the McCormick Company lias received the highest award at the Columbian exhibition, along with seven medals and diplomas for binders and mowers’. The fancy bazaar above T. J. Lumsden’s. shop in Tay street was opened yesterdayevening, a good number of tickets having; been sold earlier in the week. Although a small charge is made during the first week, full value is given for the amount paid for the ticket, and a handsome picture is alsogiven away with the first 200 tickets. A beautiful display has been made of the articles, upon tables right round and in the centre of the room, On the sixpenny and shilling tables everything is classified' and arranged,, and the ornaments, toys, &c., of every description on both (5d and shilling tables seem to be wonderful value for the money. There are only two prices, Is and 6d, for everything, in the room. The walls are hung out with Japanese screens, fans, &c., while on onestand there are photo frames of all the latest varieties. Basketware, trays, music folios,, tops, mechanical toys, musical instruments,, guns, boats, stoves, fire screens (wonderful at the money) dolls (some two feet long), drums, small pianos, and hundreds of other things are stacked on the tables. The ehinaware and fancy ornaments are exceedingly choice and pretty, and those making an early visit will secure some good things. Music will be supplied every evening on the monopol and on the piano by a young lady twelve years of age.—Advt.

At Dunedin on Thursday a prohibited' person wits fined £1 and 7s costs'on a charge of obtaining liquor. Fillis’ circus is coming this way again, and will probably strike Invercargill during show week—say the 11th of December. The Invercargill mayoral election takes place on Wednesday next. Hie ratepayers have this time no lack of choice. Four candidates offer their services, viz., Mr D. McFarlanc, who seeks re-election, and Messrs A. Blacke, A. Eacside, and A. Sturie, all of whom hold seats in the Council. Mails for the United Kingdom and Australia close at Invercargill at 10.15 a.m. to-day. and for the United Kingdom at 3.13 p.m. on Tuesday.

The suburban muicipalities are dispensing with mayoral contests this year. The Hon. H. Feld wick has been re-elected major of Averial, Mr T. Findlay has been returned unopposed for East Invercargill, Mr J. Eichurds for South Invercargill, Mr J. McKillop for Gladstone, and Mr J. Thomson for North Invercargill. Mr McArthur has been reelected for Winton.

A very success! ul lecture was given in Mr Drake’s barn, at Oteramika, on Wednesday night. There was a very large audience, and young and old were alike delighted with the lecturer’s (Mr W. H. Mathieson) account of his trip round the world. The proceeds were in aid of the gospel hall building fund.

"VVe hare to apologise to a number of correspondents for the non-insertion of their contributions. The demands on our space this week have been great. Our “ People "We Know ” column next week will be devoted Mr “Thomas Green, clud.-man of the Southland County Council.

Mr J. R. Richards, after nine years’connection with Messrs Hatch and Co’s manufacturing works, has commence d the manufacture of the “Premier” sheep dip,which he claims is a superior article, with excellent emollient qualities, and besides keeping the sheep free from parasites gives the wool a silky lustre. The company, for which Mr Richards is manager, has taken premises In Esk street, next door to Widdowson and Fogarty’s, where they have a plant for the manufacture of dip, soft soap, and wool-scouring soap. The orders already received show encouraging prospects.

On "Wednesday about 20 members of the Invercargill Cycling Club went to One Tree Point to watch the first race of the season. The race was a handicap for riders who had aiot ridden previous to Ist July, 1893. Out ©f nine entries only five faced the starter. The course was from One Tree Point to Taylor’s store, Woodlands, and back—about 12 miles. The race was won by John Wren (the scratch man), R. Sloan (3 mins, start), second; A. R. Edmond (4 mins.), third. The road was in bad condition, and therefore fast time could not be made. Messrs N. J. M. Rein and A. Eerguson acted as timekeepers.

Judges and juries do not always see eye to eye. In the Supreme Court, Christchurch, on Monday, his Honour Justice Dcnniston directed the grand Jury that they must bring in no bills in the cases under the Bankruptcy Act against George Harper aud Thomas ■William Maude on the ground that in accordance with English law, no person, unless there was a special enactment, which •was not the case here, could be held criminally libel under ex post facto legislation. The charge laid in the indictment was not made a criminal one until the Act of 1892, and therefore the alleged offence, not being an offence at the time it was laid as having been committed, he must direct lie Grand Jury to bring in no bills. He desired to say that no blame attached to anyone. The Official Assignee had done his duty in bringing the matter before the Crown Frosecuter. The grand jury, despite the charge of the judge to bring in no bills, come into court with true bills against both Mr George Harper and Mr T. W. Maude. The grand jury were discharged by his Honour without remark, but be subsequently stated that it would be idle to call on the parties charged to answer the indictment.

Perhaps in no line of business has there been more activity shown and so many improvements effected during the last eighteen months as in the coach and cax-riage-building trade. The heavy square-built vehicles are giving place to new styles, lightly made and designed with a view to artistic effect which is enhanced by the work of the trimmer and painter. Some of the latest types are now being made in several of the shops for exhibition at the show next month. Without presuming to make any distinction, several ■vehicles made by Mr Walter Brown, of Tay street, may be instanced as having attracted some notice. Several daisy traps have been turned out of his shop—one made for Mr Johnston, of the Vulcan Foundry, being a model in design and finish, combining lightness and easiness with strength. This week Messrs Smith and Crowther took over a spring dray made in the shop to their order. The sweep of rails and chamfering all over the body take away the square appearance, while considerable taste is shown in the painting and general finish,

In connection with the article on Local Industries in this issue, we understand from the-Invercargill agents for Mr W. Gardiner, of Mataura, Messrs Bi’oad, Small, and Co., that a selection of his implements will be exhibited at the forthcoming show of the Southland A. and P. Association, including those mentioned in our article.

“ Poll early and poll often,” is not the best of advice, except under certain circumstances, But when the electors are young people, and every time they vote they pay a penny for the privilege, and, moreover, when the object in view is to obtain one of, the lovely dulls in Messrs Kingsland and Co.’s window, Tay street, then the advice is, we consider, of the first order. We would recommend the youngsters in Invercargill to look for themselves ; let the girls come, see, and bo conquered. The number of school children who have already visited this shrine of wax is considerable, and is growing. The result of the polling is to be declared in Hanan’s hall, on the 21st Dec., at the children’s fair to be given in aid of the St. John’s Sunday school Miildmg fund. Presents are coming in handsomely, and there should be a very snecesful result.

At the last meeting of the County Council a letter was read from Mr W. Eamlyn, demanding the payment of £2 3s, as damages sustained through the loss of 18 bags of chaff through the capsizing of his dray on the road near the iron bridge, near Wallacetown.

While the river was in flood the current had washed a. hole in the road which, at , the time, was covered with water. Cr. Fraser remained that it was only three weeks before the hole had been filled up. It w r as impossible to keep the road under repair while the river was in flood. The bags of chaff, which had nob been removed, although when Mr Haxnlyn was returning home he could have taken them away, were a nuisance, frightening horses, &c. He evidently had made up his mind to go fi.r the Council. —Cr. Hast said there had been no carelessness on the part of the Council.—lt was decided to request Mr Hamlyn to remove the chaff from the road, and ask the engineer to report as to repairs required. A painful accident occurred at Thornbury last Wednesday. The special train convoying the Friendly Societies’ excursion party to Eivcrton had just left Thornbury when a young man named Gerald Tolhurst, son of the New Zealand inspector of the bank of Australia, was seen galloping towards the station, evidently with the intention of boarding the train. Ho had come by the ordinary train in the morning, had visited some friends in the interval, and was anxious to go on to Eiverton that afternoon. Springing off his horse, he threw the bridle to a bystander, and made a rush for the train, which was now going over the crossing near Foster’s hotel. He attempted to spring on board, hut failed, was caught in the cattle stops, and fell backwards, with the result that his right leg got under the carriage wheels, and was badly mangled from the foot up to the knee. The train was promptly stopped, and it was quickly decided to take Mr Tolhurst on to the Eiverton hospital. He was placed in the van, and attended by tiro traffic manager (Mr Whitcombe) and others till the train came opposite the hospital grounds. A stretcher was then procured, and the sufferer conveyed to the institulion, where Dr Nelson found the injuries to be such as to necessitate amputation . 1 his the doctor successfully performed. The accident naturally caused a sensation among the holiday-makers’] who were deeply concerned for the sufferer. He bore the shock wonderfully well, and while being carried to the hospital recognised several of the Friendly Society officers who were carrying him, and, drawing some money from one of his pockets, sought to reward their kindness, remarking—" Well, you Friendly Society men are not half a bad sort.”