The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1881. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 400, 14 June 1881, Page 2

The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1881. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Successful Exhibition.—The total receipts of the Wellington Industrial Exhibition, amounted to £3BO and the expenses £200.. Postponement of Sales—Owing to tho inclemency of the weather, the sales advertised to take place. (by Messrs Maclean and Stewart, and Wildie, Allan [ and Stumbles) at the Washdyke. on Wed nesday next, are postponed till furthe* notice. Comets. —The comet that has been i visible in the western sky for over a fortnight presented a beautiful appearance on Saturday and Sunday evenings. It is approaching the sun with great rapidity, and" seta, about 7 p.m. At an early hour this morning another comet of considerable magnitude was visible in the eastern sky bearing for northward, and was seen to the naked eye till daylight. Supreme Uotjbt>—During; the sitting of the Court on Saturday la,st, James McManus. was charged with stealing a cash box from the Winchester Hotel, was sentenced to three years' penal servitude. Patrick Egan was sentenced to six months' imprisonment for arson. John Johnston charged also with arson wa s sentenced to four years'penal servitude. The Court then adjourned till 11 a.m. to-morrow for civil business. Eclipse of- the Moon.—On Sunday evening last a total eclipse of the moon to"k place. It presented the appearance of being covered by a dense body of smoke. It being a very bright night it was clearly observed. Tho first contact with tho penumbra took place at 3h, 45m. p.m; the firstTcontact with tho shadow at 4h. 4lm. p.m. ' K the beginning of tho total phase at 5.h,. 44m. p.m. i the middle of the eclipse at Oh. 23m. p.m. > the end of the total phase at 7h. 3m. p m. ; the last contact with the shadow at Bh. Gfa, p.m. ; the last contact with the penumbra at 9h. 2m p.m. Entertainment.—lt may be needless to remind our readers of tho entertainment and ball that will take place tonight to augment the funds of the Tem.uka Brass Band. paving been postponed from Friday night, consequent upon the inclement state of the wonther and the bad condition of the roa.d» the concert should bo patpon'sed by a crowded house. The programme is of itself a sufficient guarantee that a thorough evening's enjoyment may be anticipated. At ike conclusion of tho concert, which commences at half-past seven, the hall will bo cleared for- the ball. Post and Telegraph Department-. i The Wellington correspondent of a contemporary hears, though not from an official source, that the new, Poatm.a.sterGeneral has. under consideration a soheme for effecting a pretty sweeping change in the way in which tho Post and Telegraph Department is managed, so, an to. put it on a more independent and businesslike footing—treating it more aa a commercial undertaking, in fact, and less as a branch of the Government. No details are allowed to transpire at present, but with Mr Walter Johnston's shrewd knowledge of business, the matter is likely to assume a practical shape. Loss of the Brio Pakeha. —From yesterday's Press we learn th,at the brig, Pakeha waa wrecked on the Ninety Mile Beach,, near Lake Ellesmere, on Saturdaylast, about mid-day. The fishermen working at the Lake got near the wreck and foundi one man in an insensible state on he beach. After searching the beach for an hour, they conveyed the rescued man from their hut, and- did all for him that they could. He stabed that there \?as a crew ot eight men on, board, and it is feared the. remainder are, lost, as the fishermen sa,w the vessel bcoak up, when fully half a mile trom the shore. The brig was about 300 or 400 tons.

The Weathek.—On Saturday last the weather was wretched, and the rain con-* tinued till near dark, when it gradually left off culminating in a brilliant moonlight night. Sunday was nwe like a spring day than the middle of winter and yesterday a mild northwester waa experienced, Wo certainly are passing through a very peculiar winter. Accidents.—On Sunday last, as Mr and Mrs G. Cliff and child were crossing the Haehaetemoana in a trap, the stream washed the latter over. In the excitement Mrs Cliff let go the child, which floated down the stream, but with great presence of mind she jumped in, fortunately recovering it about three chains down the stream. The horse was drowned and the trap waa left near the bridge whore Mr Cliff managed to scramble on. —At Mr J. Hay'a crossing a man was washed off his horse,, and had a very narrow escape for his life. An Exciting Chase.—An exciting scene occurred on board the A.S.N. Co's steamer Governor BlackhaU recently, just as the steamer was entering the Sydney Heads from Brisbane. Among the steerage passengers were three French escapees from New Caledonia, in custody of two gensd'armes. en route to New Caledonia, One of the prisoners being brought on deck:, the sight of land was too much for the escapee. The hope of liberty inspired him, and he suddenly .sprang overboard and swam towards North Head. The constable fired several shots, but all missed him, although one went very near his head. The captain immediately stopped the steamer, lowered a bQat t and picked the man up iu a very exhausted condition,