LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 274, 27 July 1880, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

On dit that the Timaru Evening Tele, graph has changed hands. The name of the new proprietor has not transpired.

Mr E. Richardson lins presented a petition to the House signed by 267 employes of the KZ. Railways, praying that the proposed reduction of wages might be reconsidered.

It is reported that the exp; ess trains will stop at Winchester on and after the Ist of August.

The Hon Mr Oliver lias stated in the House that he expected to make his Public "Works Statement some day this week. When he does so, something may be heard respecting the Oxfonl-Temuka Railway.

During the progress of the Grant party through lowa the train at one point made 45 miles in 49 minutes.

A correspondent, writing from Gapes Valley says :—" On Monday last, 19th inst.. as W. and H. Hide, were crossing the Kakahu river, Hilton, with a team of four horses some of the chains broke, just, as a very steep part of the bank was readied, and aot entangled amongst the horses legs. The three in the lead became very restive, and, eventually got loos", .and made away, but getting en-

tangled again were caught and brought hack. On returning to the waggon tlie shatter was found hanging and almqst dead, but it fortunately was not and so#n recovered. This should be a wiring to tearost,ers tp look to their geaj? befqre attempting, to cross a river.

We have received a copy of the pew f*s«r started m the Eljesmere district by M Joseph Ivess. This is another of Mr Ivess' productions When Mr Ivess goes to Paradise, he ought not to 3aek for want of reading matter, or at any rate, it will not be his fault if re does. It shows good pluck in establishing another journal in these dull times, but no doubt the district has called for it. At any rate the rural districts cannot be too much enlightened. The spirited originator is * terse and telling writer, and we wish the new journal eyery success.

An official notification of the extension of the time for sending Property Tax Returns from the 22nd u> the 31st prox.. has been issued. As a matter of fact, rem'irks the Otago Daily Times correspondent, the fixing of the latter date now appointed may be n purely formal proceeding, for until P.irliame'it h/s approved of the modifications proposed by the Colonial Treasurer, the amended and simplified forms cannot be issued* and it would probably be found impracticable to onforco the original schedules.

The Dunedin Echo snys :—We are glad to lenrn that the method of teaching the deaf mid dumb piqued by Mr \sch is proving entirely successful. Children who have been with him a short time can now speak. In olden days it was deemed a miracle to make the dumb s eak. Nowadays the metliod of speaking is understood, and the reason why people do not having been found out by scientists they set themselves to perfect a way of educating the dumb.

A'luding to the, proposal to hold the next session of the General Assembly at Christ church the Parliamentaiy correspondent of the Hawlies Bay Herald snys: —" Several reasons are urged for thi s course being adopted, one being that the Parliamentary buildings at Wellington cannot possibly last many years longer, and another that a larj;e number of members have a docided objection to spend so many months in Wei" lington at this season of the year. It is alleged that the Provincial Council Chambers in Christchurch would suffice for the House of Kepresentatives, whils 1 ; the Legislative Councillors —or the fossils, as an honorable member irreverently called th n m could be sent to the Museum. It is asserted that the removal to Christcliurch would cost L 20,000."

In the difficulties in the way of trade caused by the great scarcity of current coin of the realm which prevails among us just now, we havo struck out a new path for ourselves for wc area go-a-head peopl • and arf» not to be kept down by the want of "filthy lucre." We do business now in rabbit skins instead of cash, and prices on our local Change may be quoted somewhat as follows :—' Oats are dull a». nine or ten skins percwt. Fresh butter finds a ready market at nine or ten skins p"r lb. Sfcofks of tobacco are very low, a few small pnroels have been placd lately at three skins per stick, while whisky is eagerly enquired for at a similar price per nip, a tendancy to rise an offer to take all on the market at this price has been declined." If we can only induce the Legislature to proclaim rabbit skins a legal tender we shall make our fortunes rapidly.—Dipton corespondent of Southland Times.

A Sydney pa'ier rather funnily deals with two Coloni d Governors. It says Sir Hercules likes horses, Lord Augustus likes fowls —Horsey Robinson, Fowley Loftus.

Cattle, sheep, and hogs, whecher fat or stores, are bought in the United States by weight, usually alive, or on the hoof as it is termed. At every farm, every market, and every leading depot are Fairbank's scales, on which one, twenty, or even forty animals can be weighed. The seller usually endeavours to have the weighing effected immediately after his animals have been fed and watered ; the buyer, on the other hand, manoeuvres to scale them when just unloaded, hungry and thirsty. During the recent sleigh accident in Canada the Princess Louise lost a jewel valued at 20,000 dollars. On the loss being discovered twenty or thirty people busied themselves in searching for it in the snow, but their efforts were not rewarded with success, and it is conjectured the missing gf?m had been trodden into the soft substance.

The presence of an Aberdoniun was illustrated recently at a fancy fair, where there was a small staiH for the sale of wateh-cl arms. " Oh, Georpp," she said, " buy me a charm !"' " S irah," answered he. " you have too many already." A sapphire at Beilin lias been valued by a society of experts at £3,300,000: A money lending case came before the Birmingham County Court recently. In the. course of the proceedings it was calculated that the nun was paying interest at the rate of 40,000 per cent. The Pall M.all Gazette considers that the political difficulties in which Victoria is involved are of so complicated a character that in all probability the Home Government will have -to interfere before a settlement will be arrived at.

At a refill mmtjng hs<s (Wn'c? years ago at a westhaW,, » raaiiijwflr www praying for a " glorious m& - s he, *' O 1/>H, tl'iooknaas the py' ma- and siy? yen-eights-.* 7

some boys at* it school at tyom the ftther day were enacting a play in wMch occurs the death of the Due de Guise, and the mimic murderers got so excited in the great situation that they literally beat grcd trampled to death the poor little fellqw who enacted the Duke. This is horrible realism with a vengeance, and is a custom that ought to be honoured more in the breach than in the observance. Almost the same thing occurred the other evening in Paris during the performance of a sensation play called " Les Estrangleurs de Paris" Thf actor did his strangling so effectually that he nearly choked his vie. tim. The house applauded vigorously, and called on the strangler and the strangled, and amidst the din of the excitement the audience could hear the unfortunate victim gasping for breath, and calling out, M Confound it ; but you nearly choked me." The actor in question has wonderfully long hands fiat grip the neck as in a vice It is to be hoped that this intense feeling will not become general, as there is plenty of sensationalism even as it is

A farmer, who had lately become a widower, was aroused at midnight by the lond barking of his dog. On. going to it the animal displayed extreme terror, the farmer took his gun and proceeded to an inspection. All at once he saw a phantom clothed in a white sheet rise behind a hedge. The farmer turned deadly pale, and his limbs shook with dismay. He, however contrived to ejaculate, 'if you come from heaven speak ; if from the evil one vanish !' ' Wretch,' exclaimed the pha- torn, l I am your deceased wife, come from the grave to warn you not to marry Maria A , to whom you are making love. The only ♦voman to auc-.-eed me is Henrietta B ,

Many her or persecution and er.ternal torment shall be your doom.' This strange address from the grblin instead of dismaying the farmer, restored his courageHe accordingly rushed to the ghastly visitor, and stripping off the sheet, discovered the fair Henrietta B herself, looking foolish. It is said that the farmer, admiring the gill's trick, has had the banns published for his marriage with her.