The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY. OCTOBER 26, 1878.

Temuka Leader, Volume I, Issue 90, 26 October 1878, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY. OCTOBER 26, 1878.

Mi Wildie yesterday offered for sale by auction a portion of the household e&ects of the bare Thomas Patterson. The .attendance of buyers was very meagre, and the prices obtained ridiculously low. Several of tno lots were wisely withdrawn by the auctioneer. These will be taken to Timaru, where, it is to be hoped, for the sake of the late owner’s children, better prices will be obtained. Mr James Hay met with rather a serious accident yesrerday. He avas driving along the South Road near Neale’s, when his horse shied at something, and drawing the vehicle against the side of a cutting, capsized it. Mr Hay was stunned, and remained unconscious some time. We understand he was sufficiently recovered to be taken home in the evening.

The projected cricket match—Temuka v. Burke’s Pass—will probably not come off to-day. A doubtful answer was returned by the latter club to the challenge of the former. The secretary to the Burke’s Pass Club appears to have been negligent. He might have written, as lie promised, a definite answer to arrive before the day named in the challenge for the match. It is not impossible, however, that a team may put in an appearance during the course of the morning.

An advertisement in another column notifies that candidates for election to seats for the Temuka Riding in the County Council must send in their nominations before Friday next. The Temuka Riding returns two councillors. Should only two persons be nominated, they will be declared to be duly elected on the day of nomination, but if more than t.o are nominated, and a poll lie demanded, it will be taken on Wednesday, the 13th of November, in the manner porvided by the Local Elections Ac!.

A con.idemble portion of the population of Temuka was considerably interested—and perhaps a little elated—last Wednesday by its being nuu'Ted that the marriage of a well-known resident, celebrated tliat day, was to be distinguished by an unusual amount of festivity. Ihe rumor was verified by tacts. The friends of the bride invited a large party for the evening, and engaged the Choral Hall to •afford a suitable scene wherein to entertain them. The rooms served admirably, the hall proving an excellent little ballroom, and two other rooms served, the one as a cloak-room and the second as a supper-room. The latter was most bountifully supplied with good things “ too numerous to mention.” The party began to arrive at the hall about eight o’clock, and- in a short time one of the largest private gatherings ever seen in Temuka was assembled. Dancing was, of course, the order of the night, and, alternating with visits in person or by proxy to the supper-room, it was well kept up till two in the morning. At this hour the company dispersed, all having most thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The streams of the district are to be enriched by a further introduction of young trout. The South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society recently resolved to distribute young fish as follows ; —W. Postlelhwaite, 250; J. A. Young, 500; A. Cox, 250 ; and other lots wid go south and west. The trout in Young’s creek at Winchester have thriven well, and increased and multiplied according to the first law The oldest fish are of very respectable size. Whenever wo see them we pray, ‘‘Lead us not into temptation.” Some people will not drown, they are born fnr higher fates. It is not everyone who can navigate a skiff safely, more especially if they forget to part their hair in the middle, so as to preserve an equal balance. This conclusion was arrived at by one of the community of gentlemen whose stentorian and seductive voices at equine performances make the welkin ring with their shouts of, “Any horse I lay !” “Two to one, bar one !” &c., was gracefully] feathering his oars on the placid Avon, when suddenly a flight of ducks —there might have been a “ drake” •amongst them—disturbed his equilibrium, and over went the cockle shell. When he was pulled out be was in deep mourning, but not in black, his “ weeds ” were “green.” pale now at the sound of that sweet song, “A Life on the Ocean Wave.”

The Royal Marionettes have been well received wherever they have been in New Zealand, and their success here is as decided as has been the c ise elsewhere. On their first appearance the management must have been fairly satisfied with the patronage accorded them, while the audience gave signs of being immensely pleased witli the entertainment placed before them. The “ figgers” are moved with astonishing cleverness, and the songs and jokes put into their mouths do not belong to the stereotyped list we so often hear. At times one cannot help attributing the song or speech board to the figure seen, and it would surely contribute to the success of the entertainment if this illusion were more perfect and lasting. This might easily be if the faces of the figures were more life-like. Some of the f ices are so inhuman in appearance that the mind rec ils from the suggestion that human sounds issue from such things. There is quite a foi ling of satisfaction experienced when, the face being partially hidden by any means, the illusion that the sound proceeds frum the figure can be accepted, and the certain knowledge that the figures are lifeless be gladly forgotten. The original Christy Minstrels are black-headed images about four feet high, got np in the usual minstrel costume. Bones and Tambo do the usual “ corner business,” while the other figures seem to sing Christy Minstrel songs in fair style. Among the Fantoccini were some marvellously clever performances. The animated skeleton and the dismembered Turk requiring wonderful skill in manipulating the strings. The pantomime of “Little Red Riding Hood ” was very well managed, and at many points the illusion before referred to was almost perfect. The comic business of this pantomime was immensely clever, and deserved the oft-repeated applause it received. The transformation scene, with which the entertainment closed, was extremely pretty, the variously-coloured lime-lights being very effective. Nearly the same performances were gone through last night, and with the most complete success. This afternoon a day performance will be given, commencing at half-past two, and in the evening this exceedingly clever entertainment will ho rendered with a change of programme for the last time. If you believe in, and desire to, “ laugh and grow fat,” go and see the Marionettes. If you would like to hear the dumb speak, and see the dead act like the living, go and see the Marionettes. And if you want to be astonished go and study the movements of the figures, and estimate the labor and care required to produce those movements.

On Wednesday last the Alexandrovna Lodge, 1.0.0. F., held their usual fortnightly meeting in the new hall. On that evening the fraternal business was increased by the performance of the initia.

Hon servic-s. several leading settlers

being admitted to membership—some as honorary, others as full benefit members, The services, generally interesting, were much more so on this occasion. Wo hail with pleasure the rapid pi’ogn-ss the Alexandiovua Lodge is making amongst us. Such societies help to hind men together under a solemn compact to denounce and discourage vice, and to inculcate the principles of sobriety, truthfulness, and kindly sympathy one towards ftnother, while it leaves its members free to exercise their own judgment regarding political questions and religions sectarianism.- Holding, as it does, the vital principles of Christianity, and pledging a full and unreserved allegiance to their Queen and country, we cannot but wish Oddfeilowship all success. On last Thuesday evening a number of the friends of Mr D. M'Kenzie met with that gentleman in the Geraldine Hotel, for the purpose of testifying their appreciation of his services in connection with the Racing Club, Cricket Club, and other public bodies, during! the many years he has been amongst them. Mr Peter Duncan, in a very handsome speech, presented Mr M'Kenzie with a purse of sovereigns, as a small token of respect. Mr Duncan, dwelling upon the many services performed by Mr M'Kenze, said be had great pleasure in conveying this expression of good-will by his fe low townsmen, and he could assure Mr M'Kenzie that his great services were not undervalued by the sporting gentlemen of Geraldine and surrounding districts. Mr M'Kenzie replied in a very feeling speech, stating that his services will always be at the command of the people of Geraldine so long as he remains amongst them. We are ranch pleased to find that Mr M'Kenzie is not forgotten by his friends in Geraldine, Mr M'Kenzie has become almost an institution in Geraldine. So long has he been i efficient there that he may be excused for thinking that there is no other inland township to be compared with it. Truly there is much to be pleased with about Geraldine, nestled in the native bush, with the silver stream meandering at its feet, her beautiful little church situate on the banks of the stream, the magnificent foliage of the Rukaupa Station in the distance, Mr M'Kenzie’s own residence near by the new Scotch Church, —a neat, but isolated building on the opposite side of the river. Strangers cannot but be struck with the picturesque scenery. Pity the prominent settlers in the Geraldine district are so exclusive, how much could they not do did they take a more active part in public matters. Nevertheless, we predict a bright future for Geraldine once die central railway is completed connecting it with the interior, and with Milford Harbour.

The Waitangi ini'Migrants hive been released from quarantine. Fvte hundred Californian trout have been liber ited in the Waikato country. Another attraction (prospective) for tin tourist, added to the mmy already possess‘*d by the North Island.

At a meeting of the Waste Lands doard, applications were received from settlers at Tuap ka Nortli an 1 Moa Flat, asking permission to be allowed to shift their dwellings, so as to be put out of the reach of future fi 10 Is

The body of S unuel 'O’Kane, landlord of the Commercial Hotel, Mosgeil, was found in the Waikouaiti river. Die deceased mysteriously disappeared on Friday last from his brother’s hotel at Waikouaiti.

Captain Northcrol’t, the RII., discovered on the banks of the Waikato river, a white macintosh overcoat and a gentleman’s hat. Attached to the overcoat was a piece of paper, on which was written “Good-bye, God bhss you all.” A mounted constable lias been searching in vain for traces of the owner of the articles. The annual session of the Diocesan Synod was opened on Tuesday afternoon in the College Library, when the President (in the absence of the Bishop, the Very Rev the Dean of Christchurch) delivered the opening address. A dastardly assault was made on the Rev Mr Douglas, of Akaroa, after last Sunday evening’s service. As he was returning home he was severely beaten witli a stick, and his assailants made off. In tlm morning service the rev gentleman had spoken in very strong terms of the conduct of a portion of the larrikin element of the town. Mr Feld wick asked the Government on Wednesday if they would grant railway passes to the Southland volunteers attending the volunteer demonstration, to take place at Dunedin on the 9th November. Mr Macandrew, in reply, said that the money would be refunded on the vouchor <•! the commanding officer. The Gaols Committee, Wellington, in their report state that they had not been able to go thoroughly into the charges, in consequence of the long time that had elapsed since some of them occurred, and the difficulty of securing evidence. There was no reason to believe that wan to. i cruelty had been inflicted, but citizens were wrongfully arrest 'd, prisoners too readil} r handcuffed, and when violent, were chained down to lings on the floor. The police had also refused to prosecute when appealed to ; too much power was left in the hands of the police in granting and refusing licenses ; there had been too much laxity in the regulations, and in allowing the police to accept rewards from private individuals, and proper records had not been kept. In conclusion the Committee recommended the periodical transfer of police officers. The Khyber Pass, which the Viceroy of India will now probably annex to British India, is a narrow defile, 28 miles long, between lofty, perpendicular hills, the road, during its entire length, passing over rocks and boulders, which render a speedy advance or retreat of any body of men impossible. The heights on either

side entirely command the defile, and are scarped so that they cannot, without great difficulty, he scaled. They are also perforated with numbers of natural caves, the secure haunts of the savage robbers who have for ages held possession of the Piss. The crests of the hills are further defended l>v stone breastworks, called sunglias. A small valley, called Qurhee Lall Beg, about six miles from the western entrance to the Pass, is the only open spot to be met with during the eutire distance. —Sir George Lawrence’s Reminiscences.

A potato plant (Solanum Fendleri) growing iu great abundance in northern New Mexico is supposed, says the ‘ Scientific American,’ to be the original of our cultivated potato. Tiiis native plant forms one of the chief articles of diet of Navajo. The squaws dig up the small tubers with whatever implements they can obtain, often using a strong, smooth piece of wood svith a wedge shaped end. The plant grows on low, rich spots, and by spring the earth is turned up in every conceivable direction in the search for the potatoes. The latter are from onehalf to three-quarters of an inch iu diameter, and of good flavour—tasting somewhat like boiled cliosnuts. The Navaju Indiaus consume such large quantities at a time as to cause griping pains, and as a remedy take at the same meal a quantity of earthly matter containing magnesia, which re-

lieves the stomach. Some years ago a quantity of the tubers of this species of potato were received and distributed by the Department of Agriculture. Reports from various localities stated that, in many cases, these improved under cultivation, and increased largely in size. A case that may he interesting to those of our readers who are volunteers was tried at Kaiapoi on Monday last. A member of No, 5, C.R V. summoned the leiutenant commanding the Company for assaulting him by giving him a push, and also the sergeant of the Company for assaulting him by ejecting him from the orderly room by the direction of the commanding officer. The comp'aint about the ejection was dismissed because the sergeant had only obeyed orders It was shown that the pusli had been provoked by the complainants’s disobedience of orders. The Bench pointed out that in all volunteer corps the first, thing necessory wos the preservation of strict discipline and obedience to orders. IF the orders were wrong the duty of the subordinates wagkuoue the less to obey them. Compl«Bpt had set a very bad example of insuwirdination to the rest of the corps in disobeying his superior officer. The complaint would be dismissed. Expenses to be borne by the complainant. The Dunedin ‘ Morning Herdd’ says that the Union Company iutmds to send one of its steamers upon what maj’ now be called the usual annual excursion to the Sounds, this summer. It is contemplated that the Taranaki shall leave Dunedin on the 24th D;c mb ;r, return ing on the Ist or 2nd January, thns allowing the people of this province and Canterbury an opportunity of being able in a little more than a week and within the period of the Christmas and New Year’s hoiid.ys, to visit the grand and beautiful scenery of the West Coast. The Taranaki will go round via the Bluff, and will enter Preservation Inle*', Dusky and Breaksea Sounds. Doubtful, Bradshaw, and Thumps m’s S muds, Caswell S uind. George Sound, Blyth Sound, and Ml ford Sound. The arrangements will be similar to those of last year, though of course every trip has suggested additional means which will be taken for the comfort of excursionists. An extra number of boats will be provided to allow of the party amusing themselves by pulling or fishing iu the Sounds, or visiting any desired spot, and baths will be fitted up. No passengers will be taken, and the whole of the vessel will be fitted up for the excursionists.

A wrestling match has been arranged between Tyson of Otago, and Thomas of Victoria, to take place on tlie 28th of December, for LIOO a side, and the championship of Victoria and New Zealand. Thomas wrestles Dagg on the 14th December for L2OO a-side.

Mr Pyke recently had a joke at the expense of Provincialism. He said during the recent floods in the Clntha Valley seven or eight bridges constructed by the Provincial Government had been washed away, and the only one constructed under the county system Providence in its wisdom had preserved. In fact, the floods had w-ished away the last vestige of Provincialism. and he hoped that it would never again be seen rearing its ungainly head in that locality. Rapid progress is being mad% with the work of repairing the railway line near Balclutha, and in about a week the engine and train will be able to run as far as Renfrew street. It will, however, be a month before the railway station is ready for traffic. The water in the river is steadily going down, and the damage done in every direction can now be seen better. Not only are there large holes in the main street of Balchithi, but the sections in the vicinity of the railway station are also full of holes. It wi 1 probably take several months before the main street is repaired. The Committee on Gaols report that the inspection of the Visiting Justice was irregular, as was also the punishment in different parts of the Colony. The Visiting Justices were too much in the hands of the gaolers, and there was no proper classification of prisoners. Penal servitude and first sentence prisoners associated, and young women of previous good moral character associated with women of utterly depraved character and habits. The provision for teaching was inadequate, and the pay of gaol officers throughout the colony was unequal, the highest being in Otago, and the lowest >n Auckland. The Committee recommend an efficient system of Government inspection under trained inspectors from abroad, increased gaol accommodation for penal servitude prisoners, the classification of the rest, the encouragement of productive industries, facilities to prisoners to earn small sums in discharge of such appointments as warder or schoolmaster, equilisation of salaries, and small gaols to be be placed under the police. During the year 1877 there were 371,885 ounces of gold, valued at about a million and a half, exported from New Zealand. The number of miners being about 16,000, their average earnings were about L 97 a year each. This is considered a high average, yet it shows that gold mining is not a very profitable occupation. There were at the end of

Constantinople, Oct. 21. The Sultan has informed the British Ambassador that Turkey will never conclude an alliance with Russia. Oct 22. A rep y has been received by the Sultan from the Ameer of Afghanistan couched in unfriendly terras. Consequently the present aspect of affairs remains unchanged. ' The Siam, witli the Suez mails, left Guile on the 17th inst. The Ameer of Cabul signifies his willingness to come to terms with England. He has despatched a special envoy to conduct negociations with the Viceroy of India. (Special to the Press Agency.) London, Oct. 23. Large bodies of Russians are landing at Bhourgas, south of Varna. Admiral Hornby is at Cyprus, and on his return the British fleet moves back to Isrnid, within 40 miles of Constantinople. The Bulgarian Committee, appointed to select a candidate for the throne, have chosen General Ignatieff. Eveiything indicates that Russia has resolved to act towards Roumelia, regardless of the Berlin Treaty. The directors, manager, and secretary of the Glasgow Bank have been remanded on a charge of falsifying the books, preparing fraudulent balance-sheets and statements, and concealing the true liabilities from the shareholders. James Morton, of Glasgow, has failed. His liabilities are reported at £2,600,000.