LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1029, 11 November 1882, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wrestling. —A wrestling match between George Robinson and H. A. Slade for £SO a-side will come off in Christchurch next Saturday night.

Eclipse op the Sun. —To-day there will be an “ annular ” eclipse of the sun, which will be only a “ partial ” eclipse as far as its view in New Zealand is concerned. It will commence about 9.30 a.m,

Wesleyan Church, Temuka. —Mr W Maslin will conduct the services to-morrow morning, and the Rev T. Fee the same ] in the evening. At a meeting of the Bazaar Committee, held in the Wesleyan Church, last Wednesday evening, Nov. Bth, it was decided to hold the bazaar and gift auction in the Yolunteer Hall on Tuesday, Dec. sth. A number of sub-committees were appointed to get in tbe gifts promieed and to make all necessary arrangements. Full information will be given in advertisements.

An Energetic Insurance Agent. —The North Otago Times is responsible for the statement that “the only juryman who did not growl at the length of the Beattie murder trial was the foreman. He was a Government insurance agent, and kept up his spirits wenderfully; even the locking up from Saturday night to Monday morning effected no ruffling of his good nature, and no wonder } for he had talked insurance to such good effect that his eleven colleagues were induced one and all to insure their lives in the Government office.”

A Pleasing Picture. —“ The awfully jolly girl,” has been mentioned as the latest and perhaps most appalling English type of her sex. ‘‘The other day in Richmond Park,” writes a correspondent in the Pali Mall Gazette, “ I came upon three or four of these epicene creatures, who were perhaps awful enough, but were by no means jolly. One wore a man’s scarlet cricket-cap. All had their hair cropped close, and all four carried heavy walking-sticks. On enquiry, I was told that at Brighton and elsewhere it is quite common for young ladies to go about with walking-sticks and a convict’s crop. Who are the men that these poor girls imagine they can attract by this ugly masquerade ?”

Fashion’s Follies. —A ' peep into the kaleidoscope of fashion (says a Home paper) is always interesting and sometimes very amusing. It is to Paris, of course, that we turn for the latest thing out.” That ladies of the French capital, we learn, “ not contented with imitating the coats, hats, and dual garments of men, hare now taken to short socks, and the result, as seen through petticoat frills of lace is, to say the least, startling.” On the other hand, the menj are beginning to wear bracelets of gold and silver with mottoes and fantastic devices. All this *s amusing; but there is a painful item to record. “ A sweet thing in hats,” we are told

“ was simply trimmed with sis small birdsspitted through the body as ready for roasthig!” The better part of woman has gone out of the'wearer of so barbarous a headdress. A Bull in a Public House. —An excit. ing scene occurred at the Thames the other day. As a small mob of cattle were being driven through the town one of them charged into the bar door of the Pacific Hotel and chased Mr Harrop, traveller for Messrs. Clark and Sons, through the bar into the back room, but Mr Harrop maaaged to escape. The bullock then made for Colonel Fraser, who was standing with bis back to the animal, quietly writing a. memorandum. Luckily a chair intervened, which the bullock caught on his horns, thus saving the colonel from serious injury. He with others in the room, managed to escape. Beyond the breaking of two chairs, the bullock did no damage. On proceeding up Shortland, the same animal charged into the Imperial Hotel. He put his head through a plateglass door, and then went out again, doing no other damage.—Exchange.

Sheep Protection. —We (Melbourne Leader) recently reported the system of putting a few bells on the she»p as a preventive of attacks by dogs. Those who have tried this expedient state that the sudden ringing of the bells by the disturbed sheep startles the dogs and scares them away. Another device comes from New Jersey, in America, where it is said the farmers who keep sheep use goat* to protect them from dogs. Two goats are said to be capable of driving away a dozen dogs, and two are put into each moderate-sized flock. As soon as a dog enters the field or fold the goats attack and butt him so severely as to drive him off howling. ‘ Formerly ’ says one experimenter with the goats, ‘ when a dog entered a sheep field at night, the sheep would run wildly around and cry piteously. Since the goats have been used to guard them they form in a line behind the goats and seem to enjny the fun.’ The idea of utilising goats in this way is stated to have come from the Western States, where they are put in the sheep pens to drive away wolves.

A True ‘ Watch ’ Boa.—An incident worth recording occurred a few days ago at the bridge that is being built over the Meander, at Exton. The contractor by some means let his waistcoat, containing a gold watch and chain, fall off the bridge into the river, -which at the time was running bank high and at a tremendous rate. Having no means of attempting to recover the articles ho could only stand and look aghast at seeing bis property fast disappearing in the water. Just at the time Mr J. F. Woolnough came on the scene with his favourite dog, and seeing what bad occurred gave the dog the signal, and the sagacious animal at oiice plunged in and soon overtook the object. Finding, however, it was not easy to grasp the article by following it with the stream, it took the first opportunity of dodging round it and meeting it, seized the prize, and soon landed it on the bank, to the joy of the owner, who found the watch was none the worse for its ducking.-—Launceston Examiner,

Tub Akaroa Fires. —Two men, residentof Little Akaloa, were brought up on Wed. nesday at Akaroa, charged with setting fire to the Hotel at the former place some times since. They were remanded for eight days.

Accident at a Regatta. —At the Auckland Eegatta during a heavy squall, while the cutter race was going on, the Euphemia capsized, and two men named Mclndoe McGowan, and Ned Mane, or Champion, are missing. It is feared they are drowned. The rest were rescued. The cutter Garnet narowly escaped the same fate. Several small open boats foundered, but their occupants got ashore safely.

The Markets.— The N.Z.L. and M.A. Company report under date London, Nov. 7: —'The wool market is unchanged ; the wheat market is dull. Adelaide wheat is worth 49s and New Zealand do, 43s per 4961b5. Tallow is dull of sale. Best mutton is worth £44 10s, best heef £43 per ton. The leather market is easier, best sides are worth lid. The New Zealand flax market is firm, fine quality is worth £2B per ton. A Startling Misprint. —ln the Field of " the 24th June last appears the item of news r —‘Hares and Rabbits in New Zea'and.’ Three guns killed 500,000 rabbits in three months in New Zealand.’ The Field appears to have not thought it worth while to go into any arithmetical ca'culation on the subject, or it would have seen how little rest, either by day or night, three guns would have had. In round numbers it means 1800 rabbits per gun per day for three months. For ‘ guns’ read * runs’ and the wonderment ceases.

Down in the Miee. — A somewhat singular case came before the Wellington Supreme Court the other day. It appears that a Mrs Freebody left her husband in England about eight years ago, and with an infant child arrived here. She took to drink, and has for some time been living with a Maori named Winiata at the Hutt. Miss Annie Freebody, her daughter has now andred from England with a power of attorney from her father to claim possession of the child, which Winiata refuses to part with. A rule nisi was granted calling on Winiata to show cause, returnable to day. Retuen Railwat Tickets. —The Railway Department is about to introduce an important change in the passenger ticket system - The alterations ■will consist in the total abolition of return tickets, single tickets instead being issued for each journey. Upon the first introduction of the plan the co -t of the double journey will remain unaltered, the single fares being proportionally lower, and the present Saturday return fares will remain in force, but after a few months, when the effects of the alteration can be better calculated, the question of reversing the regular rates of charges will be further considered. It is expected the new system will be pulv into operation in a few weeks.

A Reputation to Sustain. —Young Hostetter McGinnis, one of the fashionable young bloods of Austin, took a young lady to church on Sunday evening. As he had been up quite late the night before he was very sleepy, consequently he did not flirt with the fashionable young lady, as he had heretofore been in the habit of doing in church. * What is the matter with you?’ she whispered. ‘I am not feeling well,’ he whispered back. ‘ You wake up and giggle a little anyhow. If we don’t misbehave ourselves in church people will think we are married, and I want you to understand, I’ve got a reputation to sustain.”

As the English View the Americans. —Miss Fanny Davenport has been favoring the New York Mirror with her English impressions. Amongst other things, the cl*ver little actress is bitterly aggrieved at the notions the English still seem to have of Americans, judging by the stage American they present. He is supposed to continually remark ‘That’s so ! ’ in a loud, coarse voice ; when he receives a favor to say, ‘ I’m obli. gated to you ’ ; to say in the presence of ladies, ‘ That’s a d d lie’ ; and to be always cheating at cards. ‘At another theatre,’ writes Miss Davenport, ‘ There is an American heiress, and her expressions are ‘ Bet my bottom dollar,’ ‘ You bet,’ and the never-dying ‘That’s so.’

Volunteering.—A scratch match was fired on Thursday morning at the rifle range between ten members of the C Battery, of Timaru. under Sergt.-Major Jackson, and ten of the Temuka Eifles under Quarter-master Sergeant Brewer. The conditions were 200 and 400 yards, five shots at each range, the Artillery to fire with their carbines, and the Eiflemcn with theii long rifles. The Artillery team won the match by 47 points, the total scores being—o Battery, 191 ; Temuka Eifles, 144. In the afternoon another scratch match was fired between seven men selected from both teams by Quarter master Sergt. Brewer and Sergt.-Major Jackson. The ranges were 200, 400, 500 and 600 yards, five shots at each range. The local team won the match by 43 points.

Saved dy Rais. —The following curious 1 Government Orders ’ were issued in the early days of New South Wales : —‘ Government House, Sydney, April 14, 1801: The regiment to be under arms on Monday next, the 19th instant, at half-past nine in the morning, to attend the execution of John Boatswain, private soldier in the New South Wales corps, sentenced to die by Ocprfc Martial, for desertion.’ 'April 19, 1801 Raining in torrents. The execution of the prisoner, as directed in the order of 14th inst., on account of the inclemoncV; of thajpweather, is deferred until tomorrpiv, 20tll|jp| ■instant.’ ‘ April 20th: Execution still further deferred.’ 'April 25th : Favorable circumstances having been reported the Governor of the settlement is pleased to extend a reprieve and grant a free pardon to the prisoner, John Boatswain, sentenced to death for the unsoldierlike crime | of desertion ; but the Gavernor trusts that the awful position in which the wretched J man was placed will deter others from follow- ■ ing his example. God save the King,

Fiees;—A three-roomed house at Kilbernio Wellington, owned by a carpenter named Leadbetter, was destroyed by fire last Wednesday night. It was insured in the South British Office for £2OO. A fire occurred at Lyttelton early on Thursday morning, gutting Mackay’s grocery store next the Canterbury Hotel. A good pressure of water was brought to bear, and confined the damage to one building. The insurances on the stock are £7OO in the Sun office, and on the building £3OO in the National. Mechanics’ Institute. The usual monthly meeting of the Committee of the above waa held in the Mechanics’ Institute last night. Present—Dr Hayes (President), Messrs Gray, Twomey, Msndclson and Ashwell, The minutes of the previous meeting were read, and confirmed. Twenty volumes of the Argosy were offered for sale to the Com* mittee, and it was resolved to give £2 10s for them. Accounts to the amount of £8 11s were passed for payment. The President, Secretary, and Mr Gray were appointed a Committee to take stock of the books. Wrongly Convicted. —In the Supreme Court Wellington, in Banco, on Thursday, Mr Travers moved to quash the conviction of the man Worth and the girl Davies sentenced gome time ago to one month’s imprisonment for indecency in the Botanical Gardens, but who were released on bail after serving half their sentence and giving notice of appeal. The Court held that the facts stated in evidence were not sufficient to sustain the conviction, and consequently quashed that of I Davies; It appeared however, that Worth, in the Court below had pleaded guilty, hut the Magistrates did not convict on his confession, hut proceeded to take evidence. Judge Richmond said the evidence clearly would not sustain the conviction, but th 0 pleading guilty made the question a difficult one, and judgment would be reserved.

Pigeon Shooting.—The Live Stock Journal and Fanciers’ Gazette of June 9th, has an article strongly condemning pigeon shooting as being neither manly nor a trial of skill, and concluding as follows ; —lt is th e easiest, the most mechanical, and, we may add, the most stupid of sports. The sportsman remains motionless, stands still, and does not even trouble to load his own gun, which is passed to him ready charged. He puts it to his shoulder, gives a signal, and his victim is thrown off. The poor creature coming out of the box, where it has for some time been kept in obscurity, is dazzled by the light, and does not immediately recover the habitual swiftness of its flight. What skill is there in shooting any number of birds under these circumstances ? If this were not one those frivolous amusements which fashion has for the moment rendered attractive, the •portsman might display his skill as much by simply raising his gun to his shoulder. But pigeon shooting is a special act of cruelty which is all the less excusable in that it is pratised by a class of society whose education ought to have developed nobler sentiments.”

The Peize Fxeino- at Dunedin. —The following are the competitors who have taken upwards of £lO in prize money during the meeting : —Sergeant J. Kennedy, South District Rifles, £7O, the rifle champion belt and N.Z.R.A. gold star; Lieutenant Gordon, Thames Naval Brigade, £67 10s, the carbine champion belt and gold star ; Yolunteer J. Coventry, Dunedin City Guards, £4l, silver star and cap; Private Harding, Oamaru,£3B; silver star and trophy ; Seaman Gill, Thames Naval Brigade, £37, and silver star ; Yolunteer J; D. Willocks. Clutha Rifles, £22; Seaman Weir,Thame* Naval Brigade, £2O 10a ; Petty Officer F. Franco, Wellington Naval Brigade, £2O, and the Hydeman medal; Yolunteer R. Mason, Clutha Rifles, £10; Corporal Turner, D. Battery, Wellington, £l9, silver star and Mayor of St. Hilda’s trophy; Yolunteer Willocks, Clutha Rifles, £lB ; Color-Sergeant Hogg, Clutha Rifles, £ls 10s; Yolunteer Sountag, Waikari Rifles, £ls, and U.S.S. Company’s Cup ; Yolunteer A. Ballinger, Wellington City Rifles, £ls, and Nelson Cup; Yolunteer H. Brooks, North Dunediu Rifles, £l4; Gunner W. McKenzie, D. Battery, Wellington, £l3 ; Yolunteer E. R. Smith, Dunedin City Guards, £l2 ; Volunteer J. Horne, Clutha Rifles, £l2 ; Sergeant Allen, Dunediu Artillery, £l2 ; Corporal Craigie, Invercargill Band, £l2; Bandmaster A, Nooeeman, Wanganui Rifles, £ll.

Messrs Maclean and Stewart will hold their usual sale of horses, drays, and harness at their Horse Bazaar, Timaru, to-day. Mr S. McCullogh announces that the Clydesdale entire Lord Loftus will travel the district this season.