The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1879.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 120, 8 February 1879, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1879.

It will be observed that a public meeting has been called for Tuesday next, for the purpose of bringing prominently befoie the notice of the General Government the justice as well as the necessity of beginning the -work of the proposed Oxford and Temuka railway at this end. This is, we think, a good movement on the part of our leading citizens. It is said that Providence holps those who help themselves, but this implies that those desirous of receiving benefits are not to he idle. As in the higher Government of things so it is in all others. It is not to he expected, for instance, that the Minister for Public Works will trouble himself about our railways simply because it would benefit us, and unless he sees the necessity of moving in the matter for financial reasons then; is a chance of its being neglected. We are glad, therefore, to see that our fellow townsmen are moving in the matter, and hone lucsdav evening next will see the Volunteer Hall crowded, and strong resolutions

passed urging the Government to take action. Xo railway offers a better prospect of paying than the Temuka and Oxford line. The vast amount of land it would bring into the marked, and the prices that such land would realize I would, we believe, mure than pay the cost of the works. But another rea-l-son (and a very important one) is that I most of the Government lands suitable for agricultural purposes, and not reserved for railway purposes, are now sold. If intending settlors do not have an opportunity of buying land to settle down upon in tin’s province they will betake themselves to the Otago province, where facilities are so great for the working man acquiring a homestead. If we do not, by pushing on these railway works, open land for sale this part of (South Canterbury cannot go ahead very fast. Pressure is needed to be brought to boar upon the Government. This has been applied and with great success in other parts of the island, both north and south, and it is high time we were up and doing here. With pressure from without brought to bear upon, the proper quarter we will very soon have another holiday on the occasion of the turning of the first sod of the Temuka and Oxford District Railway.

Wire in Straw. —Wo understand that Mr Modelings, the well-known electrician, has about perfected an invention for perfectly extracting the wire from the straw previous to its entering the chaff-cntters, and that the expense of the instrument will bo very small. Teaiuka Fire Brigade. —Last Monday evening was the usual practice night, but only five members turned out, so the idea of practice was abandoned. The committee held a meeting and received tenders for the office of engine keeper. The tender of Mr Mahnke was accepted. The meeting then separated. We wonder that any members at all turned up. Tho pleasure of standing about the engine-shed waiting for others who do not come is one that few people can appreciate. We could almost recommend those enthusiasts to stay at home evenings and learn to play euchre or the bagpipes for a pastime. A fire brigade is not wanted yet in Tcmuka. Dangerous Medicines.— On Wednesday an inquest was held at Ashburton on the body of a man named Armstrong, a surveyor. The jury returned a verdict that deceased died through an overdose of chloral and chlorodyno. He had purchased a bottle of Hunter’s Solution of Chloral, and one of Brown’s Chlorodyno, both poisonous patent medicines, and drank the contents. Geraldine Boad District. —A public meeting was hold in the Road Board office, Geraldine, on the 4th instant, Mr Postlethwaite in the chair, to consider the advisability of abolishing certain roads in the dis--1 trict, and opening up others. The lines of to be affected bad been shown on plans on view' at the office, and the changes proposed were advertised some time ago. The meeting passed resolutions that the proposed change be made in each case, save that shown on plan Ho. 5. Temuka Road Board. —There was not much business transacted at the last meeting after our reporter left tho room. One resolution was passed, under which tenders will be invited for fitting up tho surveyor’s room, and for repairing and painting the Board room, and making a few improvements to the premises. Grain Markets. —Reports dated Loudon, December 20th, quote H.Z. wheat at 42s to 45s Cd per 4961bs ; Australian, about 50s ; American, about 445. In Melbourne on January 22nd inferior wheat was worth 3s 9d to 4s 4d : medium, good, and prime, 4s fid, 4s Bd, and 4s Od respectively. Feed oats sold freely at 3s 3d to 4s for native, and 4s to 4s 3d for Hew' Zealand grown. Late news from Adelaide says that wdieat is dull and falling, and the settlers unable to sell. Milford Harbour Board.— On Tuesday next the Milford Harbour Board will hold its first meeting. There will then be a legal authority to act when Sir John Goode’s report arrives, which w'e expect will be before the end of this month. That the report will be highly favourable there is now' no room left for doubt. The gentlemen chosen by tho Governor as members of this Board are taken from all parts of the Geraldine County, and wo feel sure everyone will do his duty as a member, and do his best to help forward this much-needed work. Rangitata Traffic Bridge... The Ashburton ‘ Mail ’ of Thursday, in a report of a recent County Council meeting says : —“ An expostulatory letter was received from the Geraldine Road Board regarding the expenditure on tho Rangitata road bridge, refusing to pay contribution, as the Council w T as not doing the work in conformity with the advice of the consulting engineer, Mr Iliggenson. It was observed that this was tho very thing the Council was doing, and it was resolved to rectify the misapprehension of tho Board, and request it to transmit accui’ate information on tho subject to the Government.” The letter is referred to in our report of the meeting of tho Geraldine Road Board. Tekuka Park. — The ordinary meeting of the Commissioners for the month w'as held on Thursday evening. Present —Dr Rayner (Chairman) and Messrs Wood, Wilson, and Meyer. Mr Wilson stated that a sum of L3OO had been deposited for six months with the Bank of Hew Zealand, and that there was to the credit of the current account tho sum of L 73. Also that the accounts had been audited since the last meeting, and certified correct. An account for w'agos, amounting to L 7 10s, w'as passed for payment. Several letters were read from persons desirous of renting the Park Cottage. It was resolved to invite applications for tho combined offices of care-taker and gardener, the remuneration being 3fis per week, and the use of tho Park cottage, rent free. A resolution was passed

that the Chairman communicate with the Colonial Secretary re the vacancy on the I Board of Commissioners. The question of j erecting seats in the Park was discussed. Mr Wilson was asked to endeavour to obtain ( alternative plans and estimates for seats in < wood and in iron. A special meeting will be - held on the 20th inst. at 7 p.m. The meet- j ing terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman. 1 Free Pass.—We have to acknowledge the receipt of a free pass, to be used only for j reporting purposes. LocALjScrrooLS.—At the last meeting of 1 the Board of Education the Secretary said lie 1 fully endorsed the application of the Temuka ‘ and Geraldine schools for assistant masters. The Board decided to bring the new scale into operation on the first of June nest. In ; the meantime committees are to re-organise ( their staffs as far as possible in accordance 1 with it. The appointment of Mr Sumner to ' the Kakahu school was confirmed. Among ( the tenders accepted for works were—for repairs and alterations to the Pleasant Point , school, B. Spurway, L 19 6; for erection of buildings at Waihi Bush, W. C. Cowburn, LIOIO j for additions to Temuka school, W. Henderson, LIBO. Coursing.— The delegates from the various [ Coursing Clubs in the Middle Island meeting ' in Dunedin on Thursday, agreed to establish ] a Waterloo Meeting for the whole Island, f The stake to bo for 6-1 dogs, and the nomination fee Ll2 10s. Ho person will be allowed E to name more than one dog, but dogs may bo ( named by another than its owner, but the 1 nominator must be a member of a recognized j Club, subscribing at least Ll per annum. The winner of the Cup will get L2OO, and a j plate wort! i LSO, and the runner up LIOO. 1 Winners of courses will each receive a certain £ amount. The arrangements for the meeting ) will be entrusted to the Committee of the Coursing Club, and the meeting c will probably be held in North Otago. The | ground there is of the best for the purpose ; it is central, and there is abundance of hares. ( The running is fixed to take place on the 1 24th of June next, and following days. ( Pleasant Point School Committee. — i A meeting of the school committee was held in the school-room on Monday, 3rd February) ( 1879. Members present —Mr Anderson (Chairman) and Messrs Calder, Dunlop, t Grew, and Butler. The minutes of last 1 O’ J meeting were read, and thereupon Messrs j Butler and Greig took objection to i the appointment of secretary being deferred, as stated in the minutes. Messrs * Calder, Dunlop, and the Chairman upholding the clause as read, Messrs Greig and Butler withdrew their objection, and the minutes were confirmed. An official letter from the secretary of the Board, giving notice that the 5 teachers’salary, &c., for .January, and incidentals amounting to L 34 9s 4d had boon placed to the credit of the Point School Comraittee at the Bank of New Zealand. A letter was also read from Mr Henri, offering the services of his eldest son, aged thirteen years, 1 as pupil teacher pro tern. A third was read 1 from A. B. Smith Esq., Bollcnby, declining, 1 through pressure of business, to be placed in nomination for election as member of the ■ Board for South Canterbury. Proposed by Mr Calder, and seconded by Mr Dunlop, “ That Mr Henri be secretary to the Committee.” Messrs Greig and Butler spoke strongly against the schoolmaster being connected with the business of the Committee, as it would check freedom of discussion. Messrs Calder and Dunlop spoke strongly in favour of the teacher doing the duties of the office, saying that schoolmasters had been already appointed as secretaries to several School Committees in the district, and if there wore any perquisite attached to the office, the schoolmaster was entitled to it in preference, as he was a fit and proper person, and performed the duties well. Mr Greig proposed as an amendment, and Mr Butler seconded, “ That the Chairman do the combined duties of Chairman and secretary.” Upon a show of hands being taken, two voted for the amendment, and two for the motion, and the Chairman gave his casting vote in favour of the resolution, remarking that he could not conscientiously vote in any other way, as he considered the teacher stood in the same relation to the Committee, as the Secretary stood to the Board of Education. Mr Henri was therefore duly appointed secretary. Mr Greig proposed, and Mr Dunlop seconded, “ That Mr Calder countersign cheques in common with the Chairman. —Carried. The question of pupil teachers was next considered, and upon the motion of Mr Butler, seconded by Mr Greig, it was resolved, “That applications be solicited by advertisement in all of the local papers, the applications to be lodged with the Chairman on or before the 26th instant.” Mr Butler proposed, and Mr Greig seconded, “ That Mr Calder bo [the visiting member for the month.” —Carried. After which the meeting terminated.