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Temuka Leader, Volume I, Issue 102, 7 December 1878, Page 2

The Masonic Bali. During some time past many of our young friends have tested our omniscience and our secrecy by asking cajoling questions respecting this event, or to excite our natural and acquired, our personal and professional, curiosity regarding it by throwing out hints of a prophetic and generally hopeful character. We assured the querists that we did not know anything about it (which was true.) and the insinuators that we did'nt care, (which wasn't.) Now our science, omniscience, or other, is at a discount, and our curiosity sated, for is it not cried from the house-tops, so to speak, that the Masonic Ball comes off on Wednesday next ? What sort of a ball it will prove to be is a matter for time to show,. but if the stewards determine to make it as successful as the last ball —the Bachelor's —held in the same building, they will have taken a sufficiently high standard.

The Afghan Wab. —The news received during the last twoor.threo days indicates that the British forces are, making their way into the Ameer's territory far less difficulty than might have been .expected. Instead of defending the jKhyber Pass to the last extremity, the Ameer is retreating, 'and apparently■ intends to' await attack at his capital. Persia "is said to have assumed a suspicious.\ attitude towards Afghanistan. Thisniust-complicate things for the Ameer. Is impossible that.'Russia',has ..induced Persia to assume this attitude in order to furnish her with a plausible excuse for assisting the Ameer—poor little fellow, set on in this cowardly way ? It may be as well to remember that chess is said to have originated somewhere thereabout

South Canterbury Coursing Club. —A committee meeting of the South Canterbury Coursing Club was held on Wednesday evening, December 4th, at the Royal Hotel, Temuka—Mr JB. Thompson in the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Tenders for printing 200 copies of rules were received from the ' LyttelT.on Times and ' Timaru Herald' printing olliees. The tend* r of the ' Timaru Herald' was accepted Letters were read from a number of influential gentlemen in iliif. rem parts of South Canterbury promising' tlieir support to the Club, and di siring to have their names placed on the roll of members. A considerable discussion took place as to the date at which the subscriptions for the first season should be made payahle. It was eventually decided tliat the 31st January, 1879, should be the. date for tiie first season, after which the d..te given in the printed rules (19lh .November) will be adhered to. It was resolved to have some circulars printed for distribution to gentlemen known to take an interest in sporting matters. Accounts to the amomit of £3 were passed for payment. The meeting then adjourned until the 18th instant. We are given to understand that several pel-sons have taken steps to procure dogs since the establishment of the club. Fatal Accident at Kakahu.—While a par'y or four men were, engaged in tilling shingle for Mr A Reid at Redcliff, Kakahu on Wednesday the face of the cliff which had been considerably undermined suddenly fell, burying a dray and three out of the four men. Mr Reid, who had been watching to give the alarm nearly all day, hut had left for a short time, was soon on the ground, and a number of men who were shearing at Mr Skinner's, close by were also very shortly on the spot to rendei assistance. Two of the men who were not quite buried were got out and, found to be considerably but not seriously bruised. The other poor fellow, however, was completely buried, and must, from the position in which he was found, and the nature of his bruises, have been instantly crushed to death. He was found ne-ir the dray, the wheel of winch had collapsed with the impetus of the fallingdebris, and was flattened like a piece of slender hoop iron. The shaft horse was also killed, and the leader had a leg broken in such a manner as to be rendered useless. who had been sent for was very speedily on the ground, as was also Sergeant O'Malley, who had the body conveyed to the Hilton Hotel where an inquest will be held. The name of the unfortunate young man was not obtainable. He only came to Mr Reid on Friday last. The body of the deceased man was conveyed to the Hilton Hotel to await the inquest, which will be held to-