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Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 122, 19 February 1879, Page 2

Tiu.ruj:Ruii.-At tin's fair yesterday between SO and GO head of cattle were yarded, and 87 sheep. The latter, two lots of strong young siieep, were sold at 9s Gd ahead. Of the cattle only a few calves wore sold at from 32s Gd to 37s Gd each. The attendance was very small indeed, no doubt from most graziers being also grain growers, and as such being busy harvesting. llixmxG- Machines. Wc have been shown a private letter from a firm of agricultural implement makers at Koine to a gentleman in Temuka, one passage of winch wc arc permitted to mention in the interest of our agricultural friends. The writers state that in view of the extreme dislike exhibited by English farmers towards wire-binding efforts, are continually being made to devise an cffiicicnt string-binder. There are already several more or less perfect forms of stringbinders on trial, and a patent has been obtained, or applied for, for a string binder attachable to any ordinary reaper. Such a binder, if it worked satisfactorily, woidd bo a greater boon than even the excellent American machines. Temuka Post Office. —-Many of our readers will be pleased to learn that Mr John Hooper, lately clerk in the Temuka post office, lias been promoted in the department, and removed in Christchurch. Wo wish him success, Ilis place in this office is fdlcd by Mr Walter Rutland, a youth who has earned the good opinion of all who know him. Wo have great pleasure in directing attention to a section of our “mail notices,” which defines certain local extensions of the postal services. Pi-weekly mails will be despatched from Temuka to Milford, Badlmn’s, and Kangitata Island. These will ho a great convenience to a large number of settlers between the railway and the sea. The Er.KCrnxc Pen.—The electric pen Is taken in hand like an ordinary pencil and passed over the surface of a sheet of paper in the same way, except that it must lie held upright. At the top of the pen holder is a small electro-motor driven by a current from a small battery. This works a lino pin up and down, within the holder, and as the pen is passed over the paper this pin punctures the shoot. The little engine revolves many hundred times per second, and as many hue holes are made iu the paper operated upon, in lines of any kind, writing, drawing, &c. The slip Kins prepared is placed in a press with a clean sheet beneath it, anil a roller charged with a thick ink is passed over it with sufficient pressure to force the ink through the perforations to the clean sheet below. Thus the electric pen is not used to write the copies that are prepared for the reader but to produce a stencil sheet through which copies can bo printed. The method of working can be roughly imitated with, a pin or needle, and- any semiihdd as an ink. If the most suitable paper be vised a stencil will servo for the production of ten thousand impressions. If inferior paper is used the lines will bo confused or smudged sooner. With a proper press fur the printing copies may be turned out at the rate of 400 per hour. Pleasant Point, —A special mooting of the School Committee was held in the schoolroom on Saturday, 15tli February. Members present —Mr D. Anderson (Chairman) Messrs E. Acton, and J. Calc!or. Proposed by Mr Teton, and seconded by Mr Caldcr, “ That the schoolmaster be requested to endeavor to teach live 4th, sth, and Gth classes in Ids present class room during the time ihe alterations wore going on iu the other portions of the building ; also, that the Chairman inform the Hoard of the desire of the local committee, jvrovided the small average would not reduce the teacher’s present salary.” Carried. Iu accordance with a letter received from the Secretary to the Board of Education re election of members to the Board, Mr Caldcr proposed, and Mr Acton seconded, “ That the Rev Mr CL Barclay, Messrs E. H. Tate, and K. F. Gray be the members to fill the three prospective vacancies in the Board of Education.” Carried. In reference to school prizes, Mr Acton proposed, and Mr Balder seconded, “That Messrs Odder, Henri, and the Chairman constitute the Committee to arrange for the wavs and means for prizes, and to report at the next ordinary meeting.” Carried. Proposed by Mr Odder, and seconded by Mr Acton, “ That a honorarium of L 5 per annum he granted to the Secretary of the Select Committee.” Carried. Mr Henri hereupon staled Unit be would be most happy to hand over the said honorarium to the committee for them to purchase prizes for the children attending the Point School, Mr -Acton remarking that it spoke highly of the interest taken by I lie teacher iu the welfare of his scholars, the* Chairman concurring. Proposed by Mr .Acton, and seconded by Mr (Adder, “That the Board of Education bo requested to instruct their architect to consult- with the Chairman of the local Committee wil.li'referenco to the chimneys iu the hoys’ schoolroom and masler'a residence.” Carried. The meeting then terminated. Tiaiuka School.--The ad journed monthly meeting of the above Commitlco was hold last evening. Present —Mes«vs Wilson (chairman), Wills, Hooper, Russell, and Storey. A communication re elceliou von vee-ived from the Board of lidm-.ition, and He l.’ev (i . Barclay and Messrs* < tray and Tailored wore selected by the Committee to represent them on the Hoard of Education. The TLiting Committee stated (hat (he school attendance wa> not quite up to the average of hist quarter ; also i h.d more t< - idling stall

was greatly required, as •■•. mm; M the older boys had to cot as iiiumtors. i’ropased bv .Ur Wills, seconded by .Ur Russell, “ That the matter of tlte teaching s(ah' of tills sclioM bo placed before the .Hoard of ltd neat ion for the purpose of strongly urging toe neces.-i! v of appointing an assist ant master ami another pupil teacher, as the Commit too consider the school fully entitled to such an increase to the staff.”