LOCAL AND GENERAL

Temuka Leader, Issue 806, 27 December 1881, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Accident.—An accident which fortunately was not attended with serious conesquenco, occurred at the sport s yesterday. One of the sticks after having struck Aunt Sally flew into the air, and fell on a bystander cutting him on the head. It afterwards went through one end of the big drum of the Fife and Drum Band, making a large bole in it.

The Pastoral Leases.—Another meeting Ims been held in Dunedin, at which a resolution was carried, urging Government to postpone re-leasing the runs until the whole question of dealing with pastoral lands in Otago is further considered by Parliament; also expressing concurrence with the resolution come to by the conference of M.H.R.'s

The AY battier. —During the past two or three days the heat has been intense. On Saturday last, at 11 a.m., the thermometer registered 89 degrees in the shade, and 112 in the sun. At noon it was 86 degrees in the shade and 102 in the sun. At that time there was a slight breeze, which rendered it somewhat cooler. Both on Sunday and yesterday it was extremely hot, there being but little or no breeze to cool the air.

Thk Late Elhctions. —Apparently the late elections have left some bitterness behind them. The Arrowtown correspondent of the Cromwell Argus says : —" There is a sort of ' Boycotting' association formed for the purpose of making some of our townspeople suffer for not supporting the local candidate The Presbyterian minister is also a ' marked mar;.' It is to be hoped, for the credit of Arrowtown, that they, the ' Boycotters,' will soon see themselves ' as others see them,' and be heartily ashamed of such conduct.

Large Land Sale, —We learn than through the agency of Messrs J- T. Ford and Co, the Alfo.nl estate, comprising about 10,240 acres of freehold, with 12,000 sheep, 100 head ef cattle, 30 horses, and plant, lias been disposed of to Mr Samuel Grant, of TTcalinn; Meeby. Lincolnshire, England. Mr Grant will be remembered'as one of the Lincolnshire delegates.who visited us in 1880, and his many friends in Canterbury will bo pleased that he intends settling with his wife and familv at Alford.

Mixing News. The Cromwell Argus save that mining matters are decidedly improving at Maeetown. The arrival of a cake from Tipperary Company at the Bank of New Zealand on Saturday, weighing 501 oz was quite a surprise. Considering tho difficulties this eompany have had during the winter, this result is considered very good, and from appearances the mine promises some good dividends this season. Everything is looking promising. The Homeward Bound, Maryborough and Ladye Fayro are in process of crushing, and substantial re. suits are looked for.

j An Lmpatiext Candidate. —Vhe Croraj well Argus tells the following amusing storf | concerning one of the candidates'for the Lake Wakatipu dis riot waited at. the chief polling place till the returns were in save one and at this stage of the proceedings his opponent had a fairly respectable majority. Disgusted at the absence of public gratitude he hastily packod up his portmanteau, and ineontinently'quitted the scone. An hour after the last return placed tha departed candidate at the iiead of the poll. Messengers were despatched to bring him back, but he had flown beyond their reach, and, next day he woke up and found himself eleefcod.

Altbkation in the Post-office. —lt will be seen from our advertising columns that tenders are called for alterations in the Post-office. Through the kindness of Mr O'Halloran, tho postmaster, we have been permitted to see the plans of the intended alterations from which we learn that a private box lobby will be erected at the side nearest tho Mechanics Institute, and that the number of private boxes will be increased to 60. Besides thi? a residence for the postmaster will be built at the side facing the Court. This will consist of a sitting room. tjree bedrooms, a kitchen and scullery and will have a verandah fronting on High street" When finished it will prove a great improvement to the place, while the private boxes will be r&ore accessible to the general public.

Fihe. —Shortly aft»r two o'clock on Sun - day afternoon last, intelligence was brought into town by Mr Whitehead that a fire had broken out at Messrs McCaskill and Rooney's fellmcngery establishment, near Gree'3 Hayes. Mr C. Storey at once ran and gave th£ alarm by ringing the firebell, causing the members of the Temuka Volunteer Fire Brigade to assemble at their station. They at once got their apparatus and the engine in readiness add proeaeped at a quick pace to the scene of the fire. It was discovered that a large quantity of wool stacked outside the shed, consisting of about 140, bales, was in, a complete mass of flame. The Brigade at once proceeded to play upon out the stack.and by dint of continuous perseverance autceeded in keeping the flames well under, there being a good supply of water *t their comm nd. At one time the shed, in which also there was a large quantity of wool, was in considerable danger, but the Brigade and some volunteers worked with a -will till a'.l danger was past. Great praise is due to those who assisted in extinguishing tho flames, especially to Constable. Burke, to whom the phrase "h« worked like a nigger," might aptly be ap plied, We understand that the value,of the. wool in the stack was about £750, but at the time of the greatest danger from the fire, the total value of the wool in the shed and in the Q.uinn, of the Star Hotel, will be the greatest loner through tho fire, there being no in. stack was about £ 2oop. It was not insured irom the nature of the stack when opened_ it is surmised- that the fire was caused through spontaneous com bustion.

The Christmas, Festival.—The Christmas Festival passed off most happily at Teinuka, nothing but what would denote peace, happiness and goodfsllowship being observable throughout. There wore, no decorations with the exception of the butchery establishments of Mr Boyd Thomson and Mr

Ackrbyd which were festooned with green branches, and in which there was a splendid display of moat. At 8 o'clock the bells of the Catholic Church -were rung, and shortly afterwards the fife and drum band played Christmas carols through the streets. They visited mast of the principal houses in the town and on the Milford plains, and did not return home until a late hour in the morningThe brass band turned out about 12 o'clock and played Christmas carols at inost of the ' houses between Mr Lee's shop and Mr Patterson's house- They were accompanied by a large crowd carrying lighted torches, and there was a complete absencjof anything like rowdyism or disorderly conduot in fact their behaviour was most creditable. After serenading most of the peopbin the town they returned home at about 7 o'clock in the morning services were held in all the churches on Sunday. St. Saviour's Church was beautifully decorated in honor of the holy season. The decorations were the work of the ladies of the congregation, and reflected great credit on their tas'es. Iu the afternoon a very interesting ceremony took place in the Sunday School room, connected with St. Saviour's Church, when Mr W. H. Didclams, late superintendent, was presented by the teachers and pupils with a beautifully illuminated album, which bore the following inscription: " Presented to Mr W. 11. Diddams by the teachers ami scholars of St. Saviour's Church Sunday School, as a token of their love and esteem. Christmas, 1881." The presentation was made by Miss Q. Rowe, and the recipient renli?d in suitable terms. •