LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 272, 22 July 1880, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A most enjoyable conceit took place hi the school room, Hilton, on Frio ay evening last in aid of the Rich Relief Fund, The attendance Vte tery good A capital programme had been arranged, but unfortunately, two or three who had promised to assist were from some unexplained reason oofispioious by th-ir.absence. However several pressm n were fuv.ml who protect that fallacy of the axiom that ‘ one volunteer is worth two pres, men.’ Ihe bid of faro presented was both diverse, and thoroughly entertaining. The vocalists were Messrs Dwells, Mason, Gapes, Lcishman, and Gilbert Mr Arthur Brown played a corUct solo in masterly style, and Messrs Leishman, Duncan, and Julius were very good in their elocutionary contributions. Tim South Canterbury Minstrels were wonderfully entertaining, creating much amusement. Dancing followed after, the conclusion of the entertainment, and was spiritedly kept np until a n early hour, About £l2 will be the result- of the concert.

Air late Shell an Native Minister voted with the Government for the second reading of ehe ‘ Maori Prisoners Bill - ’

The Government have under consideration the propria; y of remitting the duty on chaff.

The Hon. Mr Diok has presented a petition praying that the Education Act be amended so as to permit of (he Bible being reed in schools ; and Mr Pyke a petition from t County praying for the retention of the bottle license system.

An immensely large and brilliant meteor was observed in the eastern sky a tew minutes after 9'o’clock on Sunday . vend.eg, It first appeared high in the firmanent, having the form of a small comet moving horizontally in a northerly direction. Gradually, bowevei, increasing in size and splendor, it began to descend, and when within a short distance of the horizon it was fully as large as the moon now is. It then burst into myriads of cor, ruscations, illuminating the eastern sky magni ficently, for a few seconds eclipsing the Queen of the Night in brilliancy. Had it not been ?ucb a clear moonlight night the spectacle would luivtv been wonderfully increased in beauty

That portion of the Winchester community travelling frequently by rail, and these visiting that township by the same medium of communication —amounting in the aggregate to a goodly number—have been occasioned considerable incover Unce since the discontinuance of the mid-day trains. Without the express trains are timed to call at Winchester, when required, the residents of that place and those having business there will have very good rea; ons for complaint. To go either north or south travellers can only proceed either first thing in the morning or last thing at night, consequently rail 4 - way travelling is forsaken for the resulting in great loss to the revenue. Tho delay occasioned by stopping at Winchester would make no appreciable difference in the length of tna journey, the time could easily be made up.

A fire occured Jat Air R. Tv. Parkmons station, Waitohi, last week, destroying his wool-shed and a large quantity of harness and seed grain &o. Mr Parterson is a heavy looser by the unfortunate occurrence

Victorians have not without good reason, been'pccusedof‘blowing.’ iEgles (“Autralasian ”) has no! escaped the affection, and neverg permits an opportunity to pass of singing Victorias praises He however occasion ally ovex steps i-tie mark Recently he observed Many of us in Melbourne ’•cmember Mr P K McCaughan, now r a prosperous resident of ‘New Zealand who has sat in her Parliament and ‘ made one of a Government ’ This is going from home to hear news Perhaps it will surprise TEgles to learn that the member for Riverton instead of having been elevated to a seat on the woolpack has not, far less, even been elected on a( Sessional Committee or created a Royal Commissioner Despite this, there is room in New Zealand for any number of Victorian capitalists

The‘Suggestion Hook ’ in the Mechanic’s Institute is not altogether devoted to dry, matter of fact, expression of opinion, as people might generally suppose it to be One or two subscribers have made it tho medium for giving vent to latest humor, as witness the following—X Y Z suggests, ‘ Thar A decanter of fresh water be kept in tho reading room at night for tho use of member’s ’ As might be expected, a wag has made the foregoing read, ‘A decanter of Irish whisky ” rather more in accord with the teste of the majority. Another individual has, very apmseingly made an additional suggestion —‘That Mr Bolton(librarian)be recommended to dispense coffee to thirsty members, for a consideration ’ Tho cream of the suggestions is found in thg following, ‘That tho N Z Mercantile ahd Bankruptcy • Gazette be taken, and laid on the table, for the guidance of unfortunate Tradesmen ’ To which reccomendation ‘Victim’ is not inappropriately appended as signature

The Mount Cook Road Board have decided to levy a tax on the Tekapo Bridge,

Mr Thos Ilowlev, Deputy Property Tax Commisioner has been appointed (Receiver df Land Tax for the County of Geraldine.

A soiree in connection with the Presby. teiian Church, Geraldine, will be. held in the oddfellows Hall Geraldine this evening All telegrams forwarded from or despatched •o the Temuka and Geraldine offices will, on d the Ist prox, bear a charge of six-

,nee cn each message in addition to the tariff rates now in force This we presume is inconsequence of the two offices having been worked at a loss, through the want of bettc.i mang enient on the part of the department As we understand the staff of the Temuka office is to be reduced, there should e a balance on the right side next year

•We trust the Band concert (o-nig w.ll iv>t be forgotten, and that all who iar W (he it convenient i.o attend will (b> so T !| o concert cim mences scarp at hnf past s< ven oh lock Mi K. F Cray holds an importantsale (f Furniture &c, at the Railway Boarding lit use to-morrow F iday