The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1880. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 308, 23 October 1880, Page 2

The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1880. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A special meeting of the Temuka Road Board was held on Tuesday the 19th hist. Members present—Messrs Talbot (Chairman Quinn, and Ensor. Tender* tor the.valuation of the district having been opened, the following resolution was proposed by Mr Ensor, seconded by Mr Quinn, and carried—- “ That the Tenders for valuing the district being excessive, the Clerk call for fresh tenders, to be in by the next ordinary sitting of the Board.” The surveyor was instructed to offer the completion of the contract thrown up by Archer for the ba’ance of the money in band belonging to that contract, with Archer’s forfeited deposit added. A letter was read from the Geraldine County Council, hrwarding copy of a resolution passed at their last meeting re Opihi bridge. After qonsiderable discussion, it was proposed by Mr Ensor seconded by Mr Quinn, and canied—“That a deputation, consisting of the Chairman and Mr Quinn, wait on the County Council at their next sitting, to make such arrangements as may be necessary in the matter. In the meantime, the Clerk to forward the plan and report of Mr Roberts, as requested by the Council,” The Board then adjourned .

Emigration from Wellington to Australia still continues. Tlie s.s. Wakalipn, which left for Sydney on Wednesday, bad a full complement of passengers, and a sailing vessel which left for Newcastle the same day, took forty passengers.

The Wellington correspondent of a con temporary states that Mr Nugent Wood, R.M,is to succeed Mr F. Guinness as magistrate for the Terauka and Ashburton districts. Mr Guinness goes to Coilingwood.

Mr Vessey Stewart has paid the AgentGeneral in London the deposit of £3OOO on the Te Puke special settlement. The first party of settlers were to leave London in the Lady Jocelyn for Auckland on the 25th of last month. The Hiraelaya was to follow with special settlers for Mr Stewart on the 25th of this month.

The Temuka portion of the San Francisco English mail arrived by the Express on Thursday. Captain Jackson Barry has at last succeeded in delivering his lecture in Chiistchureh without being rotten egged, but tbe audience had some rare sport notwithstanding, and they wound up by singing in chorus “For he’s a jolly good fellow,” and giving Barry three cheers ! The old fellow is to deliver an open air address in Cathedral Square, to tell the working men how New Zealand is misrepresented at Home.

StrauSs’s band at the Exhibition is short of twenty men. The conductor is prepared io engage English speaking players, if they are any good, and will fit his spare uniform !

The Wellington correspondent of the Christchurch Press telegraphed on Thursday, as follows .—“ The papers are now received both from the North and South relative to the cases of the Auckland and CLago murderers—viz., Joe the eijian and Ah Lee, Chinaman. It is probable that the fate of both prisoners will be finally decided at an Executive meeting to be held next Tuesday. The general opinion in well informed quarters is that the law will be allowed to take its course, and the capital sentence will be carried out in both cases.

Mr vYarden Keightley, of New South Wales, has forwarded a report to the Go vernmeut of that Colony on the Bermagui goldfield. It appears, from Mr Keightley’s report (says the Sydney Telegraph), that theie are about 150 old miners from the Greymouth diggings, ia New Zealand, and these men ’ apeak of the locality as siniilar to that of the famous region in question.

Something approaching a scene (says the Otago Daily limes) was occasioned in the Supreme Court yesterday by Mr .John Stamper, a solicitor of the Court, who was palled as a witness, objecting to the wording of the oath. The usual form of oath was read, and Mr Stamper declined to be sworn upon it. He did not, he said, 'know what matters were in issue, and could not swear he would tell the whole truth. The oath wanted modifying. Mr Macgregor, who was conducting the examination, said—“ Your name is John ; Mr Stamper: “ That’s not a matter in issue.” His Honor : “ Answer the question, sir. You are a solicitor of this Court, and ought to

know,how to conduct yourself,” Mr Stamper (looking towards the Judge) : “ 1 cannot hear a word that is said. I do not want to make difficulties, but the oath is not right.” His Honor : “ Is the witness sworn ? ” Mr Stamper : “ I will not take that oath, but 1 will swear to tell the truth so far as I am asked, so lar as the Court will allow me, and so tar as 1 know.” Mr St ut said the witness desired the Scotch form of oath. The Registrar then asked the witness to swear to tell “ tho truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth,” and to this Mr Stamper added, “so far as 1 know, and shall be asked,” and then took the oath.