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Temuka Leader, Volume I, Issue 98, 23 November 1878, Page 2

Ora 111. — An advertisement appears elsewhere, convening a public meeting of householders of the o;ari School district to-day at 7 p.m., for the purpose of electing a School Committee. The Committee will hold their first meeting immediately after the public meeting. Both meetings take place at, the Orari Hotel.

Tiih Nor’-W esters. —A curious, and nol the least annoying consequence of the dry winds which have been so prevalent lately, is the de-truction of the smoothness of ou; metallrd roads and shingly footpaths. The body of finer materials has shrunk so considerably that the large pebbles, not following the downward course of their setting, project above the surface, and in coming to the surface, so to speak, loosen the small stuff around them. They are therefore easily kicked out, and the consequence is that the surfaces of roads that were shingled with coarse materials are strewn with large and loose pebbles, making travelling very unpleasant indeed. Salk of Town Lvn >s.— 1 •'Gazette ’ dated November 11th notifies that thirteen sections in the town of Geraldine, and twentyone sections in Arowhenua, will bo submitted to auction at the Land Office, Cliristeeurcli, on Wednesday, the lith December next, at 11 o’clock. Plans of the Geraldine sections may be seen at Dawson's Hotel, and of the Arowhenua lots at the Temnka railway station. Fifty five sections in Ashburton and South Rakaia will be submitted at the same time. Burton's Austhvlitx Circus. This Circus will appear at Temuka on Mond-.iv evening. It Ims been well patronised by the public, and well spoken of by the Pre-s wherever it has appeared hitherto. The ‘Press,’ alher witnessing its opming performance in Christchurch, said of it,'“ The Company, as a whole, is very complete, and though from a long experience of circuses one fails to discover any marked point, of difference between one and another except in p nut. of merit, the palm must certainly be given to Mr Burton's for the admirable manner in which the various feats are performed. As a ring-master Mr Burton is worth a great part of the entrance money to see.” This last sentence is promising. As a rule ringmasters give one the blues.

Brsn Fire at Geraldine. —Our correspondent writes on Thursday : The fire is still smouldering, and should* the present nor’wester continue, may still do further damage. It is now in Masiin's and Gibson’s maiden bush, but being somewhat sheltered from the full force of the wind, it cannot burn with that rapidity it did on the Government bush on Monday last, when the fire was bearing down towards the township. The dangey is not altogether past for some of the houses on the hill side —Williams’, M'lvenzie's, Groundwator’s, and Taylor’s—as the fire is being fanned up again, and clouds of smoke may bo seen rising here and there from amongst the trees on the hill side, and the wind at present is bearing direct for the township. A rumor is abroad that the fire originated by some contractors burning stumps in the bush upon a road recently purchased by the Geraldine Road Foard from Mr Whittaker, and that some of those whose bush has been burned intend to seek compensation either from the contractors or the Board. The damage done to private property can scarcely be estimated f 'om the imjierfcct view one can obtain in passing through the bush, but I learn that Mr Whittaker has suffered to an extent of £3OO. It is to be hopod that rain will soon come to put the fire out. Primitive Methodist Church, Geraldine. — The anniversary of this Church was celebrated last Sunday, when three e l oquent sermons were preached by the Rev William Tinsley, of Christchurch. The afternoon service was devoted to the children attending the various Sunday-schools, when the rev. gentleman’s manner was so interesting to the young folk, and his language so simple, that both young and okP were delighted. On Monday a soiree was held, when 130 to 140 sat down to an excellent tea. After tea a public meeting was hold, presided over by Dr Fish. The chairman expressed satisfaction at seeing the church so well filled, which was a very good indication of the interest manifested, and doubtless more would have been present but for tbe lire that was raging in the bush and threatened the destruction of the town. The Ecvs Murray, Westbrooke, and Tinsley, gave very earnest and interesting addresses, interspersed with pieces of sacred music well sung by the choir. Votes of thanks were passed to the ladies whose energies and care in providing for the soiree made it so successful, to tbe Rev Mr Tinsley for his valuable services, to the choir and to the Chairman, which last, as usual, broke up the meeting. The collections at the services, and the proceeds of the Soiree, amounted to about £l3, a very encouraging result. Wages in Dunedin.— The bricklayers of Dunedin have decide I to advance their wage* from lls to 15s per day. It s said that men cannot bo obtained there under £1 a day. Native.—The Hon Mr Sheehan, acconr partied by Dr Hector, went North on the 2lst ■o meet Rewi. it is stn f e 1. and arrange to see

Tc Whiti regarding the Hmiki affair, and settle respecting the coming Native meeting in in March next. Cricket. —The Tomuka and Geraldine clubs meet to-day at G-eraldine, weather permitting. The Temuka team will start about eleven o’clock for the scene of action. Thus C se op Home In"L"ev m.—Under instructions from the Colonial Secretary, an j infoimaiion for misdemeanor will be laid against George Woods, who kept his lunatic sister under restraint for 21 years. The informauu.n wi I oe laid under the -10th section of the Lunatics’ Act, IGGS. The Chinese Question. —IVegrams from Sydney state that the seamen of the A.S.N. Company have struck on account of the cm ployment of Chinese. The Company «ay that they must emplov Cliinese to withstand competition. The strike being the first paa ducal opposition raised to Chinese cheap lahour naturally caused groat excitement. The Company have determined to run as many yes-els as they can man, and to lay the others up until hands can be procured. A Px.ccKV Ppkaki.—The passengers by the first Geraldine—Winchester coach of Tuesday last, witnessed part of a very odd encounter between a dog and a swamp-hen. The combatants wore “ having it out ” in the middle of one of Mr Hep worth’s paddocks of oats, and about two hundred yards from the road. At that distance the dog could not be well made out, but it appaared to be a young retriever. He pranced about, and made his attacks as if he had a wholesom ' dread of his antagonist’s beak. The smaller animal was not fully seen at first on account of the growing crop, and from the manner in which it charged and held the dog at bay it was for some time supposed to be a cat. Further observations, however", corrected this supposition. Occasionally the bird took short flights, but evidently not to escape f.om the dog. This peculiar contest was probably brought about by attempts of the bird to lure the dog away from its nest. Hakaia and Ashburton Forks Tlvilwyy.—The construction of this railway—the first to be made under the District Railways Act—was commenced with the usual formality of “ turning the first sod,” and amid great rejoicings, on Tuesday last. The line is laid out to to run to Methven, a distance of 22 miles from South Raida. Methven is near the base of Mount Hutt, an I about 16 miles from Mount Somers. It is said to be already a flemishing little town, and no doubt the extension of the railway to its gates will render it still more lloiu ishing. It is very probable that the line will bo continued to Mount Somers before long, in which case the timber of Alford Forest, and the coal of the Mount Somers’ beds will furnish a large amount of traffic to the new line. Mi- Passmore, the late Manager of Hallways in the North Island is the Engineer, and Messrs J. and A. Anderson, of Christchurch, the contractors for the line. The contract price is £55,090. This seems a small sum, but the whole line lying over a level p’ain, and presenting few or no engineering difficulties, it will still leave a fair profit to the contractors. The Chairman of directors at the opening ceremony remarked that the District Railways Act being a new Act, and this railway company the first of its kind, the working of the railway, would, no doubt, be watched with very considerable interest in other I places. j Death of Mr Tesohe taker.- -It is whh ■ the deepest regret we have to record the ! death of Mr F. \V. Tescheuuiker, M. T. R. j for Gladstone. It is another evidence ! of the uncertainly of life, and a confirmation of the saying “ in the midst of life we arc in death.” Who wool I-have thought that the strong, healthy, anti c.nnp.ratively young gentleman, who spent such a happy aflc •- noon with us a few weeks ago, when taking a running survey of Milford Lagoon, would so j soon be snatched from us in the midst of his j labours, and in the midst of Ids days. Gone ! j gone from us for ever. We deeply sympathise with the relations of our do pa ted • friend, who has thus met with such an mi- i time v death. i • , The Minstrels. —The Cheevers, Kennedy, an 1 Dent Minstrels appeared In the Volun- i teer Hall, Temuka, last night. The attend- | ance was miserably small, yet the company j played and sang as if they had a sea of faces | before them. As for the character of their entertainment, its’exeellence has been asserted by so many better judges than ourselves that j our praises are as unnoces ary as they are ! willing. Everyone who attended the per- | fjrmanee must hare a filed something to their i span of life if it be true that a hearty and I honest laugh will lengthen one’s days. 1 The humorous dialogues and comic songs were ! rendered in a style to force laughter from a graven image almost. Songs provocative of quieter emotions were also rendered in a most j effective manner. The audience could hare | desired but one thing —a full house to reward . the company fairly for their efforts. |

The New Govaknob op Canada, — Lord Dalferin said, in the course of his late farewell speech in Canada : —“ Lord Lome lias, as I said, a multitude of merits ; but even spots will bo discovered on the sun ; and, unfortunately, an irreparable, and, as I may call it, a congenital defect attaches to this appointment. Lord Lome is not an Irishman 1 (Great Laughter.) It is not his fault—he did the best he could for himseif. (Renewed laughter.) He came as near tiro right thing as possible by being born a Celtic Highlander. (Continued laughter.) There is no doubt the world is best administered by Irishmen. (Hear, hear.) Things never were better with us, cither at home or abroad, than when Lord Palmerston ruled Great Britain —(cheers) Lord Mayo governed India (cheers) —Lord Monck directed the destinies of Canada —(cheers) —and the Robinsons, the Kennedys, the Laffans, the Callaghans, the Gores, the Hennessys, administered the affairs of our Australian colonies and West Indian possessions. (Applause.) Have not even the French themselves made the same discovery in the person of Marshal M‘Mahon ? (Laughter and applause.) But still we must be generous, and it is right Scotchmen should have a turn. (Laughter.) After all, Scotland only got her name because she was conquered by the Irish—(great laughter) and if the truth were known it is probable the House of Inverary owes most of its glory to its Irish origin. (Applause.) Nay, I will go a step further ; and would even let the poor Englishman take an occasional turn at the helm —(groat laughter)—if for no better reason than to make him aware how much better we manage the business. (Renewed laughter.) But you have not come to that yet; and, though you have been a little spoiled by having been given three Irish Governor-General’s in succession, I am sure that you will find your new Viceroy’s personal and acquired qualifications will more than counterbalance his ethnological disadvantages. The Healthiest Life. —The president of the British Medical Association said lately.—The cultivators of the soil—the agricultural laborers —quoad their calling —are happily exempted from specific morbid influences. The oldest occupation of man is withal the most healthy.' The farm servant is a worker in the open air, and follows the natural order of day and night in apportioning his period of work and rest. If his abode be healthy and in a healthy locality, the conditions of his labor are calculated to promote health and '

physical energy. If his fare be poor, he has, compensation in the life-sustaining power of open-air work, and in digestive powers capable of utilising all he eats. From indiscreet exposure to weather he will suffer, like the rest of mankind, with inflammatory and other diseases arising from cold and wet, though not in the same high proportion. Probably he is a more frequent victim than others to crippling rhenmadsm as age advances. First She Would and then She Wohld’nt. —A capital groundwork for a sensation novel was laid in Shortland the other day. it appeal's that a young man from the country was smitten with the charms of one of live’s daughters resident at a Grahamstown hotel, and after a short courtship it was resolved that they should bo united in Hymen’s bond. Presents were given to the lickle-minded inamorata, the wedding dross provided, and the confiding swain returned to business, Avhcn alas! the fickle-minded damsel, without any apparent reason, returned the presents, stating that she had no intention of marrying the young man. Some intimation of the change reached him, so Avithout delay he saddled his horse, and at the risk of his neck rode post haste to Shorthand, where he immediately sought au interview with the fickle fair one, and once more tried to prevail upon her to unite her lot with his. Hearing in mind the adage, “ strike the iron while it is hot,” he at once took out a license, and, accompanied by his intended Avife, bridesmaid, and bed man, proceeded to church, had the hymeneal knot tied, and proceeded to their temporary homo, but, unexpected denouement! at about dusk the newly-wedded wife quietly stole away from the house, and left the bridegroom lamenting. The young man is still looking out for his wife,—‘Thames Advertiser.’ Genteel Employment.— On this subject the Melbourne ‘ Argus ’ says : —“ Circumstances have not yet had time to upset the old world notion, that manual labour is necessarily less honourable than clerical work ; so while those who have been born in a certain grade cannot take to a handicraft Avithout losing caste, those avlio are born below are continually seeking to escape from their own class, and to gain admittance to what is generally regarded as a higher. In a very short time there will scarcely be a child in any civilised country not receiving a training fitting him for the ordinary run of clerical work, and mile s those who have hitherto fur-

nishc I recruits to the groat army of clerks got over the absurd idea that writing and casting up figures are “ genteel ” employments, while manual operat ions requiring ten times the skill arc low and vulgar oc nipations, AVe do not sec how they are eA'er as a class to emerge from the cloud which has gathered about them. Wo want a reformation in our social ideas. Nothing can be more ridiculous than the different Avays in which different occupations arc regarded. A young man of decent training may go upon a station, live like a hog, do work of a menial and frequently of a cliscusting kind, and yet when he comes to Melbourne may obtain admittance to the most exclusive drawing-rooms in the metropolis. Let him, however, put his hand to any inechauic.il trade in town or suburbs, and “society’’ shuts its door in his face at once. Whilst this is the case, is it strange that some

occupations should be shunned and others rushed ? We feel that “genteel” paupers Avill abound until manual and clcri ;al labour are regarded as equally honourable, aud people ob'igod to work for. their living can take to cither one or the othe •, as inclination suggests, without incurring social penalties.”

Tll e l' st 0r 't e ■ B to.- — Ti ie Connecticut farmers in the United Slates a e, it is staged, in a comlHo!) of painful excitement owing tj the appearance in that State of a “ hitherto unknown bug,” which is emnnitting great ravages in their cornfields. The creature is described a-« a “good-sired, six-logged, evil looking bug, rather larger and much flatter than the potato bug ; in colour brown, tnd having a wide body and a very small head, the Litter provi led with a pair of sm ill attennee or feelers.” The bug begins his ravages at the tip end of the oar of corn, and devours the kernels as ho works onward, town: ds the butt, leaving in his track only a dirty me-s of brown husks of the separate kernels after having devoured the substance. If, as is feared, this new bug is going to ruin the corn as extensively as the potato bug has in so many qua tors mined the potiTo crop, his p ’esence will be a greater calamity than anything that Ims yet been threatened by that already famous pest. Bo destructive are the powers of tiro unwelcome stranger that fields of corn are ruined in almost a single day. Acres of grass land will suddenly turn brown and dead, and the tmf itself can be raked off, the roots having all been cut by the bug, which “flies like lightning when started.” Yet the creature is not altogether without its redeeming points. Under a magnifier it is scon to be beautifully feathered, and is not without features of considerable interest to naturalists and others who take delight in the loathsome insects. —English paper.

The American Engines. —There are now five of these engines in working order, three of those which arrived by the Southraiustor having been fitted together. The first good trial which any of these three had was on Tuesday, when No. 92 ran at express rate to and from Rakaia, and performed the ■journey in a most satisfactory manner. Three others still remain to be fitted up, making eight in a’l. Of these engines two will be used on the section between Dunedin and Invercargill, two between Dunedin and Oamaru, and the remainder on the Christchurch section, this side of that town. At present the express trains between Dunedin and Oamaru are worked by the Fairlie engines, which have worked well hitherto, but whoso services for this purpose are now to he dispensed with.—‘ Press.’

Gee up! —The Oamaru Mail’ of Wednesday says : —-Some interesting trials of the strength of horses arc, we believe, to take place at Kakanui next week. Two wellknown residents having had some little argument as to the strength of their respective horses, decided to put them to the test, and a match was at once arranged for £SO a side. Afterwards a third owner of horses chaTengod one of those engaged in this match, and another trial of the strength of their favorite animals was arranged for, the stakes being

the same as in the first contest. The whole of the horses are splendid specimens of the Clydesdale breed, and very interesting tria’s arc anticipated, not only by their owners, but by a large number of residents in the district.

Brains and Hands. —Mr Beecher, addressing working men in the States, said : —You are hearing it bawled all over the country that the great mass of laboring men that create the property of the community are being trodden down into the dirt. They earn your wealth, and you grab their land, and the top of society gobbles up everything they earn ; they are suffering ; they are the slaves of capitalists and bloated bondholders; of men that live at ease on the top of society. No man that brings mere manual labour to bear does more thanthet; somebody lias done thinking for him, and he is imre'y doing the work of another man’s thought. The man that on’y knows how to work with his hands, and not with his head, must be content to stend where the hoof stands, where the foot stands. He is at the bottom, and there is no lever that can raise him up. I say to all the working men throughout the

land-—lf yon are inte’ligcnt and know how to organise dead matter into living powers by your intelligence, then you create property ; but if you are mere appurtenances to men that organise the plan, that organise the machinery and all,the processes, you" cannot hope to be on a footing of equality with the organisers. It is thrown out that men are slaves. I say that you are slaves. I say that the ignorant man is the slave of the wise man the world over ; that the animal man is subject to the intellectuol and spiaitual the world over. It is just as true of labouring men as of everything else.”

Old New Zeaiaxw —Sir Roderick Murchison aptly said that geology is the study of the geography of the past. The geologist discovers the sites of ancient lakes, of pleistocene rivers, traces the course of moraines and scratched boulders—clear proofs of former ice action. When our geological staff have still further worked out the geology of these islands, they will be able to tell us much of that past geography, will be able to restore for us the vast continent of which New Zealand, the Chatham, Auckland, and other islands are the remaining fragments. They will be able to point out the site of ancient lakes, of long extinct craters, and to tell us whether Cook Strait was or was not the site of an ancient mighty river. Already they have told us much about the past of these islands. Far south, in cold, wintry Otago, they found kauri leaves—positive evidence that the climate there was warmer far than ribw, for the delicate Dammara Australis cannot live far south of Auckland. The geologists tell us that oaks were once plentiful in New Zealand, though now none exist. No one knows why they disppeared. New Zealand geology upsets many of the propositions founded on European geology, and greatly widens the geological horizon. In New Zealand, dicotyledonous plants appear in ancient strata, in which, according to European geologists, they are never found. New Zealand is really an old country, some of its strata being almost as ancient as any that have been found in the so-called Old World.— 1 N.Z. Times.’ The La.vd Craze.—A writer in the Dunedin ‘Age’ says : —At the sale of educational reserves the other day the lease of a block of a dozen acres was knocked down to an innocent countryman at half-a-crown per year per acre. The bidder handed over the thirty shillings, and patiently waited till the end of the sale. As the crowd was dispersing, he moved up to the Secretary of the Education Board, and blandly asked, “ Whan wull ’e ca’ for ma Croon grant ?” “ You have no Crown grant. Yon only got a lease,” was the reply. “ Only a lecse !” exclaimed the other. “ An' d’ye think ’es goin’ to gi’e half a croon an acre for a leeso?” “You never expected twelve acres for thirty shillings, did you?” “ Deed did a,” was the unabashed rejoinder. “ Hero, then, take hack your money,” said the secretary, handing him his deposit, and drawing a line through the record of the purchase.