The Temuka Leader. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1878.

Temuka Leader, Volume I, Issue 89, 23 October 1878, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1878.

We are informed by the Chairman of tlih Temuka Sciiool Committee that Mr Hammond, Secretary to the Board, will pay a visit to the school to-morrow, for the purpose of enquiring into the wants of the school, botli as to its teaching staff and amount of accommodation, furniture, &c. It is more than time something were done, and we hope this enquiry will not be like many of the Governmental enquiries, only made to please the people, and then be shelved.

We have to thank Mr Hammond, Secretary to the Board of Education, for a summary of attendance returns for the September quarter. The summary shews that there were at the end of September 17 schools under the control of the Board, officered by 60 teachers and five sewing mistresses. At the beginning of the quarter there were 2225 children on the rolls, and at the end 2510. The strict average attendance was 1698, and the working average 1742.

A Team selected from the Timaru School Cricket Club visited Temuka on Saturday to try their skill against that of the Temuka boys. The latter did not turn out well, but a sufficiently good eleven was made up to give the visitors a beating. The scores were, Temuka 15 and 49, Timaru, 34 and 15. The play on both sides was very good. The bowling of Shepherd and Ogilvie for Timaru, and of Rowe and Austin for Temuka, was very creditable, only one wide being bowled during the match. The fielding was very smart, and the long-stopping particularly good, only four byes beingscored. Mr J. Roberts umpired for Temuka, and Mr Thoreau for Timaru.

‘ At a meeting of the Presbyterian Church Committee,, held on Monday last, a resolution was passed that the Church be immediately repaired and painted. This is not before it is needed. The Presbyterian body may be considered the wealthiest class in the district, yet it is behind all the other churches in) improvements. Unlike our friends of the English Church, who trust somewhat to the honor and liberality of its adherents, Sandy likes to see where the money is coming from before he embarks upon any scheme. The present is, however, a departure from this rule, the improvements are to be gone on with, and the congregation will be asked to contribute each their share of the cost, which, we have no doubt whatever, they will do most readily. Unlike the other churches, the Scotch Church does not seom to make progress. Their church a wreck, without a resident minister, without a Sabbath school, without a Bible class, or regular meeting of any kind to promulgate her doctrines) she is no'credit to her supporters. We hope this is not to continue muclvionger. It is not a good sign to see religion so xxeglected in our midst, and we hope to see our Presbyterian friends bestir themselves in the matter, and not only repair their Church, but take steps to build a new one, and that shortly, as the Pi’esbyterians of Temuka may sooxx have a clergyman to themselves. The Harbor Bill, the general measxxre, lias been read a third time and passed by the Lower House, Every Harbor Board created after the passing of this Act will be created by a special act of the General Assembly. Where xxo Board exists, the Governor-in-Oouncil is to hold all the powers of a regular’ Board. Elective members are to be elected in the manner provided by the Regulation of Local Elections Act, 1876. Members, elective and non-elective, are to hold office for two years. Any member who is in any way interested ia any contract with the

Board otherwise than as a member of an incorporated society, or who is a bankrupt or insolvent, is to be considered as disqualified. All contracts are to be in .writing-, and every contract exceeding £SO is to be let by public tender. No Board will be allowed to levy dues until their harbor works of every description shall have been completed, except with the sanction of the Minister for the time being. Endowments are to be dealt with by Waste Lands Boards, and the Gover-nor-in-Counoil may revoke endowments when the Board refuses or neglects to perform the duties imposed upon it. Boards may lease rural or pastoral lauds for any term not exceeding twenty-one years, and town lands or lands used for building purposes for fifty years. The harbor fund is to consist of harbor and pilotage dues ; rents and profits of lands ; and proceeds and profits of endowments. Regulations are laid down for the conduct of raising and repayment of loans. The chairman only may be paid, and he may also receive travelling expenses, but only such as arise from attending meetings of the Board. v

Last Friday evening the President of flie Wesleyan Conference (the Rev Jas. Crump) delivered an address in Temuka Wesleyan Church on behalf of the Home Mission Fund. The attendance was very small indeed. Mr Crump, in a very interesting speech, urged upon his hearers the duty of helping those in need of help. The highest life was the life of the greatest usefulness, and the greatest condemnation was the sentence to banishment for uselessness. Men declared that they were anxious to do something to show their gratitude to their Maker for benefits received. Let them assist their fellow-men. To work for men was to work for God. The readiest way to assist one’s neighbour was by contributions of money. The Conference was continually appealed to for aid by outlying districts and poor circuits, but tbe Conference is only a body of stewards, and cannot give unless it receives. Those circuits that have been assisted in the past, and are now in a good position, should deem it a first duty to afford similar assistance t > others. Temuka had been helped in the past, it should now show its gratitude by helping its less favorably situated neighbours. A collection was made at the conclusion of tbe address, but from the small attendance, only a small sum was was obtained.

A telegram received by us last night from the Press Agency announces that the Sau Francisco mail steamer was coming np the Auckland harbor. By reference to our advertising columns it will be seen that Mr Williamson, whose name has long been connected with this district, is to become a resident amongst us. We are aware that for some time past he has been a land holder in our midst, and we are glad to find that a gentleman of so refined a taste, as well as skill, as come to reside with us. In confirmation of our opinion we may call attention to our Park cottage, designed (free) by Mr Williamson, and we may say that a more unique specimen in its line is not to be seen anywhere.

Heavy rains fell on the West Coast last week. It is understood that Ministers have agreed to raise the pay of the police force from the Ist January, but it is not yet known to what extent. :

The shareholders of the Greymouth Coal Company have resolved to sell the property and plant, and to wind-up the company.

A 3'cung man was jammed between two laden trucks at Dunedin on Saturday, and was so much hurt that he is not expected to recover. A large member of cattle have been killed in Otago from eating the young tutu.

There are still laige quantities of snow on the back ranges of Otago. Further floods may be looked for. A Wellington Telegram of Monday says it is understood that the prorogation of Parliament will take place next Monday. Two thousand two hundred young trout and a few salmon, obtained from Canterbury, have been liberated in Taranaki rivers.

Two thousand five hundred shares in the Temperance Hotel Company, Christchurch, have been taken up. A Christchurch baker has been fined L 4 for adulterating bread with alum. Fve buildings were destroyed by a fire in Invercargill on Sunday night. Two engines were on the spot, but water was deticient, The insurances amount to LI 100. .

Last Sunday was Hospital Sunday in Invercargill. LIO4 15s was collected. , Three roods four perches of Government land in Carlyle (Taranaki) sold at auction last week fetched up to £lO 17s per foot, being ae the rate of £2600 per acre. Stuart, of Wellington, bought two front sections, all the rest being local buyers. Two acres of back sections realised £2741. A fire on an estate near Lawrence burned down a stable containing 21 horses, and 42 sets of harness. The poor animals were roasted alive. The South Dunedin Council have expressed themselves in favour of the introduction of train ways in that borough. Mr Reeves will on Monday ask the Government if they will, during the recess, frame a Bill for the more effectual suppression of the sale of adulterated liquors and punishment of the vendors of such liquors. Mr T, H. Rainford, the well-known operatic singer, who performed in New Zealand with Miss Alice May’s company, and afterwards with Madame Arabella Goddard, has left the musical business, and become the proprietor of the Forest Lodge Hotel, Sydney.

At Balclutha on October 18th the Post office was broken into. A casbbdx and between L6O and L7O was stolen. The cashbox had not been left in the safe. The inhabitants are now gradually returning. The river rose a few inches last night, but no serious flood is feared. In the meantime Inch Clutha is still covered with water. The settlers are boating off their stock, to prevent death by starvation. Mr Walter Burton, of George street. Dunedin, has succeeded in taking a series of photographs which vividly depict the recent Balclutha floods. Of the Beaumont bridge not a vestige remains, stone piers and other substantial masonry having been swept completely away. The total amount collected in Dunedin to date in aid of the Floods Relief Fund is over LI2OO. Sums of L 25 each were contributed yesterday by the Colonial Bank, the Australian Land Company, and the National and Mercantile Agency Company. The ‘Clutha Leader’ says that the injury done to the town of Balclutha and its future prospects is considerably exagerated. The idea that the i habitants and the town are ruined, ’ and that the latter is about to be abandoned, is very wide of the truth. “So soon,” says the' ‘Leader,’ “as the water shall have left, the great body of the people will return to the township ; they will set energetically to work to clean out their bouses and erect their fences, and dress their gardens, so far as practicable, and as their means will admit. They will then go on with their usual business, save money, and complete the work of renovation as opportunity occurs. The Borough Council will at once repair the streets absolutely necessary for traffic, and tbe others will be attended to by-and-bye. They will apply to the Government, and get, partly by way of gift, .and partly by way of loan, a sufficient sum to protect the river banks, and thus prevent further encroachments. This will at once excite a feeling of confidence as to the future of Balclutha. A new bridge will be built, the river trade will be fully developed, and bufiness of every description will flourish. The great flood of 1878 will be almost forgotten, and its effects swallowed up in general prosperity and happiness,” And then, we at a distance fear, that prosperity and happiness will be swallowed up in turn by another big flood. A coroner’s inquest has been held at Oamaru lately, touching the death of a child under peculiar circumstances. The mother was lodging in a house in Ghalmer street, Oamam, and although there were several persons in the house at the time, no assistance was called in while the woman was in labour, and the child perished for lack of necessary assistance. The Public Works Department is faking steps in conjunction with the Survey Department to complete the record made of flood levels throughout the Middle Island. William Langly, of Otaki, was found guilty at the Eoxton Police Court on the 16th hist., of sly-grog selling. The Resident Magistrate and three Justices occupied the Bench. The evidence was very conflicting, and some very hard swearing was committed. . Langly was. fined £SO and cosis. The Bench were unanimous in their decision, and directed the police to proceed against Langly. for perjury. He has been arrested.