LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 404, 23 June 1881, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Licensing Biw..—This Biil is still being considered in Committee of the House. After passing through all its stages, in consequence of each interest fighting for its own *ause or hobby, it will be found to be materially different from the original one drafted.

J Exportation op rnr/^ya —£r„ Tues-uay-AaaLjhe a. a. Wajiatipu took close on 10,000 sacks of potatoes from Lyttelton tor Sydney. The S.s. Sokata.—A telegram from Melbourne states that the repairs to the s.s. Sorata have been completed, and she is now afloat again. Educational. —At Napier arrangements have been made by a number of gentlemen interested in educational matters to bring out a monthly educational journal. Such a work is very much needed at the present time. T.M.I.A.—At the usual weekly meeting of the Tetnuka Mutual Improvement Association in the Good Templars’ Hall, this evening, an essay will be delivered by Mr Mackay, the subject being “ The duty and advantages of early rising,”

Good News fop. Railway Employees. —During tha sitting of tho House of Representative* on Tuesday last, tha Premier stated that arrangements would be made for the fortnightly payment of all wages to railway workmen, instead of monthly as at present. The Bible in Schools.—Mr Dick presented a petition from the Otago Bible in Schools Association to the House of Representatives on Tuesday last, praying that provision might bo made for the reading of Scripture in schools. Sib Julius Vogel. —A correspondent to a contemporary state* that Sir Julius Vogel’s connection with the colony terminated with a most unpleasant episode. Sir Juliu* Vogel, on being removed from the Agency-General, wrote so violent a letter to the Government that they refused to place it on the records, and sent it back to him. The Government have cancelled Sir Julius Vogel’s appointment under the Publice Revenues Act and entirely put an end to any connection between him and the colony. Good Hope Lodge 1.0.G.T.—0n Monday evening last the brethren met in tho Good Templar Hal), there being a good attendance. Bro. J Brown, W. V.T. in the chair After the usual routine business, one mem', r was re-obligated. After which two persons presented themselves for initiation. A very interesting discussion arose in regard to the new Licensing Act which resulted in a Committee being formed to write to the Member* for the district expressing the views of the Lodge on the Act. The meeting closed at about 10 p.m., after spending a very enjoyable evening.

Near thb Grave. —An odd incident ia reported from the Tranvaal. A prlvpte of the 97th, who hcl poisoned himself with native grog, a villainous sort of brandy, was brought in as dead, and an inquest was held upon him. He was found to hare died by over drinking bad alcholic liquor. and in the course of the morning was taken away for burial. While being borne to the grave the shaking up in the coffin awoke him, and he shouted lustily to be let out, causing a general scare among the men carrying him. The man waa released, and ia still alive, and his narrow escape will doubt’eso make him more cautious as to the quality of bis liquor in future.

A Nsw Whalxnq Vbntcbb. —We learn fr'>m the New Zealand Herald that a new whaling renters is under way, and all arrangements hare already been made. They believe the enterprise ha* been undertaken by three gentlemen. The barque Espoculador has been purchased by them, the price being £7OO. She will be tilted out as a whaler by Messrs Sims and Brown, and is expected to bo ready for saa in about a fortnight. She will proceed to Ituesell, and there take in some whaling gear recovered from the whaler Janus. This done, she proceeds on a cruise under command of Captain Irving, who some years ago made ene or two very successful whaling trips in the Magellan Cloud. “An* W* to Stat Hem.”—We briefly noticed Mr H. J. Sealy’a pamphlet a short time ago, and now give a more lengthened report of the same. To anyone at all acquainted with the history of New Zealand for the last twenty years, particulaily of its land transactions, the psmphlet must commend itself. The author witheringly exposes the land policy of this Colony. Its baneful effects are now be* ginning to be felt, although the fullest extent of the evil may not be experienced during this generation. Mr Sealy deserves the best thanks of every trne lover of his country for the trouble he has taken to lay the facts so plainly and so truthfully before the public. A landed aristocracy is the great evil that the young New Zealander has to fear. This Mr Sealy has shown very clearly by facts which cannot be gainsaid. Sir Qeorge Grey, more than any man, dread* the shore of poverty which the Colony is drifting upon, and warns the inhabitants of the danger. But an interested party in power poah poohs the idea; so they will continue to do, although they wince under his heavy strokes for all that. The pamphlet referr d to ought to be widely circulated, particularly before the next election comes on. Were its doctrines thoroughly well known men would be alive to their interests would not again pack the House of Reprecontatives with landsharks. Wo would be glad to find that others are prepared to take up the work where Mr Sealy ends, and not put it down till Liberalism in its true sense has become the line of politics by every candidate for Parliamentary honors.

Chinese Immigration Bill. —On Tuesday last the Chinese Immigration Bill was read a third time in the House and pasted.