The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, MAY 24, 1881. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 391, 24 May 1881, Page 2

The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, MAY 24, 1881. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Bank Holiday. —The Bank of New Zealand will be closed to-day, being a statute holiday, in commemoratibu of Hei Majesty’s Birthday.

Additions to Courthouse. —We have been informed that Mr Scroggie’s tender of £175 10s for additions to the local Courthouse has been accepted. Additional Taxation. — At the next meeting of the Temnka Road Board, it is intended to strike a general rate of sixpence in the £ on all rateable property in the district.

Football. —We understand that steps are b“ing taken to revive the Football Club,, and for this purpose a meeting will be held in the Royal Hotel on Saturday evening next, at 7.30 o’clock.

Temuka Processing. —Mr F. Turner it nounces throjgh the medium of our advertising col no ns that he has commenced businesjas a coppersmith, brazier, and plumber in his township.. We trust itliat he-will met with success in his undertaaing.. T,MJ. A.—Oi Friday ev. n, .ig last there was a very large attendance at the meeting of the Temika Mutual Improvement Association, the Tiev IX Gordon,the Vice - President, hr the chair. The subject for 'debate for the evening ivas the important question “Is smoking beneficial/’ opened -in the affirmative by Mr Russell, and in the negative by Mr McCann. After several of the members had given their opinion prt> and con, the question was put to the vote when it was given in favor of the negative. A discussion) afterwards took place as to the date of meetingbeing altered, after which it was. decided’ to hold them in future on every Thursday evening. The Queen’s Birthday.— To-day, being the anniversary of the Queen’s birthday, will be duly observed iu Temuka. The Bank of New Zealand will bo closed, as also will the Rost-office., The members of the No. 1 Uomp ny, Temuka Rifle f Volunteers’ will assemble at the Volunteer Hall, at 9 a.m., for inspection by Lieut.Colonel Piicke, after, which they wilp proceed to the butts under command of i Lieut.-Colonel Packe and Captain Young to fire for prizes generously given by the residents of the township. A royal I salute will be fired-, at noon. In the evening the annual Volunteer Ball will be held in- the Hall. From, the number of tickets disposed of it promises to be a great success.

Prize Firing,— At about half past ten o’clock this morning s the Kb. I Temuka Rifle Volunteers will fire for prizes generously given by the inhabitants. We learn that during the past few days Coporal G. Levens has been busily engaged in- canvassing for subscriptions and prizes, the result of his efforts being a handsome collection, which have been on view in Sergeant Brewer’s shop window. Several of' the most valuable prizes were purchased with the subscriptions obtained and amongst those given we may mention a plough, bag of flour, half-a-dozen sheep etc. We are sine that the spirit of the con. 3 pany will be roused, and the competition for such valuable articles will be keen. We must congratulate the Company in possessing so energetic- a canvasser as Corporal. Levens, through whom, the day’s success must be attributed.. The prizes will be distributed during the ball.. Great Fire in Timaru.— On Saturday evening last, at about a quarter; past six o’clock, the fire-bells in Timaru announced that a fire had broken out, and from the intense glare from; the flames as they shot upward, it was soon ascertained that Mr Bruce’s flour mill—one of the finest piles of buildings in the towne-had become a prey to the devouring element.. The reflection of the fire could be seen at Temuka. The origin of the fire is unknown. Insurances effected on the buildings, machinery, and stock,for .£7OOO which does not nearly represent one half their value, the buildings and plant being valued in. February last at £13,000. Pile Fire Brigade worked splendidly, under command of Captain Amos, and succeeded in saving tbe boiler-room and extensive sawmills adjob mg. The wall facing the sea fell, the debris covering the railway line in front.. The south train had to pull up some little distance from the wall. We regret to team that Mr Jackson, Fire Inspector,, had his collar bene broken through a heavy fall. He was attended by Dr Maclntyre, who quickly set the injured part. Much sympathy Is felt for Mr Bruce in the heavy loss that he-has sustained-; It will also- be a loss to the working classes, as Mr Bruce employed a large number of hands at the mill who will now be thrown-, out..