LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 379, 26 April 1881, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Holiday. —lt is announced that the principal stores in Temuka will be closed on Thursday next, on account of the Timeru Races.

Christchurch Cathedral. —lt is stated that the Cathedral \tnil be opened for Divine Worship on Wednesday, August 10th. The .Custom’s Revenue.— the completed returns show that £1,309,848 have been collected under this head, being an increase of £126,307 on the previous year. The Timabu Harbor.— Another set of moorings are being placedinside theßreakwater by Captain Mills, the Harbor Master and shortly two more vessels will be enabled to discharge cargo in smooth water.

Honesty Rewarded !—We have been informed that a few days ago a lad picked up a £5 note in the township, and returned it, after making enquiries, to the owner, who liberally rewarded him by presenting him with the magnificent sum of one shilling. Liberality And admiration at the conduct of an honest boy must be at a discount in the township. A Request.—The police authorities have requested us to urge on all parties who have anything to communicate to them in reference to criminal and other matters, not to delay in doing so, but to inform them immediately anything may transpire. We are informed that only recently one incendiary case* might have been brought home to the guilty party had, notice of the affair been given to the police at the station at the time. It is to be hoped that in future such an important matter will be attended to by all parties concerned.

Fire. —On Friday night Inst the dwell-ing-house of Mr f Currie, at VYaifohi, was entirely destroyed by fire. It appears that Mr- Currie had been papering the walls of one of the rooms, and whilst his, back was turned, a lighted- candle which bad been placed rather too near the canvas accidentally set fire thereto. So rapidly did (he devouring element perform its Work that nothing was saved, and the children* who were in bed, barely escaped in their night-dresses. Unfortunately no insurance bad been effected, either oil the house or furniture, and consequently Mr Currie is a considerable loser.

Accident.— On Sunday morning last a serious accident occurred to Mr Whitehead, who with two of his sons went out for a drive. It appears that whilst passing along the road, by the Park, the hame op the near side broke, causing the trap to swerve suddenly round, and throwing the occupants out, Mr Whitehead receiving interna l injuries, which at the present time appear to be of a serious nature. The three were brought to their residence in town by Mr Allotl, who passed shortly after and Dr Cumming was called in, who on examination found that Mr Whitehead was severely hurt in the stomach and the eldest son had a nasty cut across the left eye and a sprained wrist. The youngest son and the horse fortunately escaped uninjured. On our making enquiries at # late hour the two sufferers were progressing favorably. Suicide.— On Sunday morning last a young man named H. L. Nathan, clerk, in the employ of Messrs Perry and Perry, sit Timoru, was found dead in his bed at his lodgings at Mrs Beldy’s. He was found fully dressed. In one hand he held a half-emptied large bottle of chloroform, and close to his face was a toothLrush tray with chloroform in it. On the dressing-table was found a letter written by the deceased, in which he stated that only one person knew it was his intention to commit suicide ; that he wished for something to make him happy, which it was impossible for him to obtain ; that he would not feel hurt if the jury brought in a verdict of insanity ; that he did not believe in a personal Deity or a future state of existence, and that at the time the letter was written his pulse stood at 75 degrees. An inquest was held yesterday, when the jury returned a verdict that the deceased committed suicide while temporarily insane.