The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, JULY 9, 1881. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 550, 9 July 1881, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, JULY 9, 1881. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Baby Show. —No less than seventy babies wm-e brought out at the baby show at the Adelaide Exhibition, Rise in Sugar. —We learn that sugar has risen £5 per ton in the Ruudon market, in consequence of the great deficiency in Cuba. The Cheese; Shipment. —Advices to baud slate (hat the shipment to England of a consignment of cheese preyed a failure. A Second Clip. —From tho Snakey Creek and Hexham Park stations, near Warrnamboo!, seventy-eight bales of wool have been recently shipped, being the second clip from the same sheep in one year. Registry Office. —Mrs 0. Lewis has opened a registry office in connection with her late husband’s business, opposite the Mechanics’ Institute. This should prove a great boon both to employers and persons seeking employment. Entertainment at Pleasant Point.— An instrumental and vocal entertainment, by the Teamka Brass Baud ip aid of their funds, took place at Pleasant Point last evening, A full report will appear in onr next issue. The Late Robbery. — A, mm named Powell h as been arrested at Auckland, on the charge of stealing a gold watch and chain from the Tcinnku- hotel a little while since. In all probability he wil 1 be forwarded to this town and brought up at the Resident Magistrate’s Court un Monday uext. A Curiosity.— A curiosity in the shape of an hermaphrodite pheasant was shot last month by Mr C. Hilchmann, of Cambridge. The,head of the bird is that of a hen, while the neck is speckled, with a green and white ring round it. Tho color of the body is that of a hen, but the breast feathers are tinted with light red. The tail is long, like a cock’s, but without the distinguishing colors, and it has no spurs pn its feet. Petition. —We understand that a petition is being numerously signed in tho Geraldine district to be presented to the Geraldine Road Board at their next meeting, requesting that the gorso might be grubbed up where growing on the roads. We throw out the suggestion that the Board shquld give the work to the unemployed residing within the district. Alleged, Libel. —At the Resident Magistrate's Court, Timaru, yesterday, George Green was charged with libelling the firm of Wildie, Allan and Stumbles, by stating iu the Timaru Herald that they charged him interest at the rate of 120 per cent, on a bill of sale. Mr Hamersley appeared for the plaintiff; and Mr Jameson for defendants. After himring the evidence, the B.ench dismissed the case. Photography. —We note that Messrs Lovewell, Wing and Co., of tho American Photographic S.tudio, at Tmnuu, are still kept fully employed, the premises being visited daily with many persons anxious to secure their renowned “ gern” and other size portraits, executed with their well-known artistic ability. The prices charged for these are very low, and especially for the. “ gem,” which thus places hem within the reach of all desirous of obtaining them. Whilst on this subject 'we that specimen portraits may be viewed at the Suffer. GYoMRfe crimim.al Jessie .HidfivtaiariMiafliibirhfcwreceived by her compatriots through tlm , secret telegraph from St. Petersburg. If is asserted thatTn'Drder to extort frojm her revelations as to her accomplices, she was bread' or water. ‘.fnnahn was approach--1 *imt'W&* fan&Mh of her at wfWStfjK 4 she paSßetefepfi Minting -fit' until the pm pose of her torturers aeemfed likely to be defeated by death, and eopie I sustenance was given her. I

Local Government. —The Hon Major Atkinson, in reply to Sir G. Grey in the House on Thursday last, said he would make his promised statement as to local Government on Tueday evening T.M.L A.—On Thursday evening last, the usual weekly meeting of the Temuka Mutual Improvement Association was held in the Good Templar Hall, there being only a moderate attendance. Mr Lawrence being voted to the chair. After the minutes of the previous meeting had been read and confirmed, the important question “ Is a Limited Monarchy preferable to a Republic ?” was brought on for discussion, being opened in the affirmative by Mr Mendclson who was ably supported by Messrs Harrop and Lawrence. The negative vvas opened by Mr Hayhurst and well supported by Messrs Gray and Diddams. At the conclusion, on a vote being taken, it resulted in favor of a Limited Monarchy by a majority of one A letter was read from Mr Pinckey, ten. dering his n signation as a member of the Association in consequence of his removal from the district. It was propose dby Mr Harrop, seconded by Mr Russell and carried —‘ 1 That the res’gnation of Mr Pinckey be accepted with regret and that a cordial vote of thanks be accorded him for his services as Secretary to the Association and wishing him every success in his new sphere of labor.” A letter was also read from Mr E. Smith, regretting his inability to give the essay standing in his name on the Syl’abus, and also tendering his resignation as a member of the Association. Mr W. Rowe was unanimously elected secretary. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated a mosl interesting and enjoyable meeting.

The Financial Statement. —On Wednesday evening last, the Colonial Tren. surer delivered his Financial Statement to Parliament. From it we gather that the actual expenditure fen- Departmental Services, inclusive of Lands and Surveys' was £175,7GG less than the amount voted for tho purpose. The railways during the past year have realised about per cent on £2,228,000 spent in their construction. The telegraphs have yielded £12,501 less than estimated, whilst the Customs and Stamps produced more than estimated, the former by £57,034 and th e latter, £IO,BBO. The gross public debt of the Colony on 31st March, 1881 was £20,105,511. In regard to the Public Works Fund, the available balance for future appropriation will be £1,072,586. The estimated revenue for the year 18811882 is £3,297,650, and the estimated expenditure, £3,270,198. There will therefore be a surplus of £21,452. He would submit during the session a Bill authorising the issue atpar of a loan of £250,000 the principal and interest of which will be payable in New Zealand only, and the proceeds to be qsed for public works. The Hon member concluded by reviewing the progross of the Colony, at some length-