LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1037, 30 November 1882, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Property Tax.—The property tax for the current financial year has been made payable on the 25th January next. The Paek Land. —Mr “'F. i'. Oldfield was the successful tenderer for 65 acres of the Park land, the price being 40s per acre. Cricket. — The match Auckland r. Oamaru was concluded last Tuesday. Auckland won bvl innings and 77 runs. The following were the scores : —Auckland, first innings 232. Oamaru, first innings, 88; second, 67. His Eewaed.— Constable Dwyer, -who saved Mrs Kitchener’s life at the fatal fire in Cumberland street, Dunedin, some time ago, wasjon Tuesday night presented by the City Council with a silver Maltese cross in recognition of his deed. The Timaeu Harboe Works. —Public meetings of ratepayers will be held in Greraldine next Monday, and in Temuka next Wednesday, for the purpose of considering the proposal of the Timaru Harbor Board to borrow the sumjof £IOO,OOO, to enable them to complete the Harbor works. The matter is very important, and demands the earnest attention of the ratepayers.

Accidents. —Two accidents occurred last Tuesday at Waitohi- A lad about 12 or 13 years of age, son of Mr Mullen, was playing at the school-house, Waitohi, and was thrown by one of his playmates into a pit, where he got his arm broken. The same evening a daughter of Mr Q-ilmour, of the Spur Hotel, got her hip bone broken by a gate falling on her. Both patients were brought to Dr Hayes, at Temuka, who attended to them, and they are now progressing favorably.

Superstitions About Ecbipses.—Accodring to Oldmixon’s Annals of George 1., on the occasion of the total eclipse of the sun» the darkness was so great that the stars were seen shining with great brightness, and the birds went to roost at noon. The eclipse of the sun has always been looked upon with awe by the ignorant, and in the tenth century there was a prevalent nay, almost universal idea, that the end of the world was approaching when an eclipse occurred. Many charters began with these wordsAs the world is now drawing to its close.” It is related that an army marching under the Emperor Otto I, was so terrified by an eclipse of the sun, which it conceived to announce this consummation, as to disperse hastily#u< all sides. As this notion seem? to hare beefe founded on some confused theory of the Millennium, it died away when the seasons proceeded to the eleventh century with their usual regularity. The theory of eclipses is said to have been known to the Chinesje 12° B. 0. x TheDanoer sop Eating Uncooked Pork . ’■ —At an inquest held in Wanganui on Saturday, says the Herald, Dr Tripe, produced hydatids found abnormally in the brain of the deceased. These had probably originated from eating raw or improperly cooked pork, and ho would advise people to be very careful what kind of pork they ate. Had Bowes not thus died, these parasites would have caused his death at some time or another; they had, however, in the meantime nothing to do with his decease, although their presence would render a man very irritable, and in time drive him mad. In connection with these remarks made by Dr Tripe, we have ascertained that the deceased was in the habit of eating raw pork ham, which accounts for the presence of the hydatids.

The Young Princes.— lnteresting personal announcements • as to the immediate future careers of the two young Prince* recently returned from the Bacchante cruise are now being made, and of Prince Albert Victor of V/ales it is said he will be appointed to a commission in the army for a short time, at first as a duty officer, by special wish of the Prince of Wales. One of the regiments of the Household Cavalry, whereof his Koyal father is Colonel-m-Chief, is mentioned as likely to receive the young recruit. On the other hand it is rumoured from Portsmouth that Prince George will, in continuance of his naval career, serve his next commission in the Canada, screw corvette, to be fitted out for sea, and sent to the Mediterranean station some time next year.

.Accidents. —A son of H. Lane, of Russell Auckland, aged fire years, fell off a rock into the sea, and was drowned on Tuesday. Hugh Hamilton, aged 33, employed at Archibald Clark and Company’s, Auckland, returned home early on Tuesdoy morning, and entering his bedroom fell against; the bedstead, fracturing’his skull. He was found unconscious in his room at daylight, and died during the forenoon. He loaves a wife and three childien. Mr Adam Hassell, of Napier, sou of Mr Has-

se'l, of Oamaru, who owned the Waihua station at Mohaka, and brother of Hr Hassell, of Timaru, on Tuesday fell over a cliff 300 feet high into the sea. His body was discovered floating m the surf. A man named Xing, Town Clerk of Lawrence, Otago, died suddenly last Monday night. At the inquest the jury found that death was caused by asphyxia, accelerated by inadvertently fating an overdose of ehlorodyne, and not otherwise. A very painful accident happened to a man named T. Scoring!, Timaru, on Monday evening. He was engaged superintending the putting on hoard of the Annie Eow some heavy pieces of iron, when the chain attached to the crane swung round, the end of it striking Scoring! on the head, knocking him down on the deck. The mate of the vessel and others rushed to his side at once, and a doctor was sent for immedia'ely. "When the doctor had examined the sufferer he at once ordered his removal home, an instruction, that was at once complied with. He is to bo doing well. HP

Accident at Reid and G- bay’s Foundry —George Garret, a fitter in the employ of Messrs Reid and Gray, Danedin, was caught in the machinery on Monday, and had to have one of his limbs amputated.

The Rising Generation. — A most nearness act was performed by a boy at Oatnaru the other day (says the Oamaru Mail). He tied the legs of a dog and placed the animal in such a position on the line near the Tliaraesstreet crossing that its legs would be cut off by a passing train. The plan succeeded. The police destroyed the animal, and are now in search of the inhuman rascal. Experimental. Prominent physicans of Rush Medical College, Chicago, experiment with electricity on Tracy, a hanged man, just after his execution on the 16th September. They succeeded in restoring the rhythmic motion of the heart, and express the belief that if the neck bad not been broken they could have restored life. The question would have arisen in that event as to the legal status of the resuscitated criminal. Mrs Hampson. —We learn from the local Advocate that Mrs'Hmnpaon, who is on a visit to the Rangitikei district, will shortly leave there for Napier, to fulfil an engagement made 12 months ago, the date for carrying out which is now close at hand. After finishing at Napier, Mrs Hampson will proceed to Lyttelton, thence to Rangiora, and from the latter place to Kaiapoi. She will thence go to Australia, and after a short stay •he will return to New Zealand. How He Recognised Him.— About six weeks ago a distinguished Chiuaman was travelling in England, hue, like most Celestials, he had a very faint idea of men and manners in England- He had no chaperone, as some of these gentlemen have, but in course of time he found his way to the House of Commons, and he sent in his card to MiBright. The ex-Chencellor of the Duchy of Lancaster at once responded to the call, and in the course of the conversation, which was conducted in English, for the Celestial was a good English scholar, Mr Bright asked of him, ‘ How did you know me V The Celestial confessed that his knowledge of the ‘Tribune of the People ’ was derived from his effigy in Madame Tussaud’s. And such is fame! The story must be true, for Mr Bright tells it himself.

The Maoki Mission.— The Auckland Star, iu an article about the doings of the Maori mission in London, says : —“ With Loudon they are all three astonished. Its extent and grandeur opened their eyes. The old chief was so satisfied with his quarters and the treatment that lie had received, that he did not. want to come away. On the females they made a marked impression. Taiwhanga asserts that, had he not been married, he could have had for a wife a very nice lady with large means. With a sigh he was compelled to turn away, and reluctantly to remember the partner of his joys and sorrows, who anxiously awaited his return to his native land. He assures us that he left the latter provided for, and complains that she bad no right to leave the house in the Bay of Islands and desert his children. Mrs S. T., it may be remarked, was looking about for her illustrious spouse this morning, not in the calmest of moods. Her welcome of the rover seemed likely to be boisterous and energetic, but not particularly loving.

The Altebation in The Railway Faees. —The Wellington Post says : —A few days ago we mentioned that it was intended to introduce an important change in the passenger-ticket system on the Hew Zealand railways, by abolishing “ return ” tickets and reducing the price of “ single ” tickets. When a supplementary Gazette was issued last week containing a revised scale of changes, it was supposed that this included the proposed change, and some people were much puzzled to discover any difference. This is not surprising, seeing that the intended alteration will not come into force for some little time, probably not for two months, certainly not before next year. The reason of this delay is the magnitude of the work involved in printing an entirely new supply of tickets to the number of some hundreds of thousands. This will necessarily occupy a lengthened period, and it is impossible to say just now how long it will take to get the new tickets ready. We may state, however, that the present intention is to reduce the firstclass single fai’es from the present rate of 3d per mile to 2£d. It will thus be evident that while single journeys will cost one-third less than at present, double journeys will coma to just the same as now. A further reduction will be made in the Saturday and Sunday fares. On those days single tickets will be issued either w r ay at lid per mile first-class, and Id second class.

Singulae Application bob Adtice. — A singular application was made to I lie Auckland Police Magistrate recently by an intelligent-looking young man, who stated that he was cook of the ship Loch Awe. He explained (says the N. Z, Herald) that the captain kept a very ferocious dog on board. This animal had bitten him through the arm some time ago, and had attacked him on several occasions. The captain would not destroy the dog, as ho valued him very highly. The applicant now asked that either the dog should be destroyed or that he should be paid oil' here. The captain had wages belonging to him. Mr Hesketh, who appeared to have some knowledge of the facts, having been consul ed by the applicant, explained as amicus curisc, that the applicant had £25 wages coming to him. He did not wish to draw that, nor had lie any desire to break the law, but would return to the ship provided the dog was either destroyed or chained up. The man had no wish to break the law or refuse to do his duty, but if the dog was retained he would then take his stand on that, and refuse duty, assigning that as a reason. The Pencil asked what power they had to interfere in the matter, to which Hr Ilesketh replied that what the man sought was advice. The Pencil promised that Captain Aicholson would be seen and the facts of the case ascertained.

The Direct Steam Service.— The Go vernment have decided to extend by three months the time allowed for the commencement of a direct steam service, and have fixed July and October respectively for the first boats to start from England and New Zealand.

Attempted Suicide at Dunedin. A married woman named McViokar, residing at South Dunedin, made a determined attempt to commit suicide on Tuesday by cutting her throat with a carving knife. She had been suffering from asthma and had threatened the previous day to drown herself. It is pos sible she may recover.

Commencing Early. — A most painful feature in recent returns is the increase of suicide among boys, which has also been noted in England of late. In the four years, 1876-80, 198 boys under 15 took their own lives, six of them being under nine and one only seven years old. The number of girls who committed suicide iu the same period was but 40.

Clearing Sale op Farm Stock; —Messrs Maclean and Stewart will hold a clearing sale of horses, cows, sheep, ploughs, harness, etc , on the farm of the late Mr John Crammoud Arowhenua, to-morrow ; also the lease of the farm. The same firm will sell to day, on the premises St John’s Wood, near Timaru, horses cows, spring cart, harness, and household furniture. On Saturday next they will d s pose of a 500-acre farm situate on the Wai taki; and on the 19th Dec. at Timaru, they will sell Parsons’ Foundry, with all ap pliauces. The Fatal Eire at Nelson. —At the in quest ou the body of the woman Norton, better known as Fitzsimmons, at Nelson, last Monday, the following verdict was given:— ‘ The jury is of opinion that the deceased Margaret Norton died from the effects of burning, while in a drunken state, and that we strongly censure her husband, Wk Norton, for not having made known the fact that he had heard her going upstairs and for not having made any efforts to save her.” The Coroner, Dr Boor, called the man before him, and after telling him the verdict lectured him, but Norton made no reply. An Elephant Story.—An anecdote is related by Mr Barnura as illustrative of the axiom that drinking is a habit that grows : “ Last winter two of my elephants began sinking witli chills one morning ; the keepers ran down into the village and got six gallons of whiskey. Hastily returning, three gallons were given to each elephant. Fortunately it cured them. They liked the artificial warmth it superinduced. Next morning when the keeper came to them he found both elephants shaking with might and main. ‘No you don’t’he shouted, 1 you are well enough today,’ and they stopped shaking.” Of course those only arc expected to believe thi* who want to.

The Adahs Conspiracy Case.— At the Appeal Court, Wellington, on Monday, judgment was given in the Adams conspiracy case. Judge Johnston said the case was one of great importance, and came before the Court under embarrassing cirsumstances. As the jury found the defendants guilty, their Honors were bound to assume, for the pur poses of this case, that the charge against Longhurst was a false one, and, moreover, that the circumstances proved were sufficient to prove the charge of conspiracy, if the ghq had arrived at the legal age of discretion. The specific question reserved for the Court of Appeal to determine was whether the learned Judge ought not to have directed the acquittal of both the defendants on the gi’ound that the child was, in law, incapable of conspiring as alleged in the first count of the indictment. He held that it was repulsive to common sense to believe that the child conspired, confederated, and combined with her father to commit crime ; and he was therefore of opinion on the whole that there was no evidence incorporated in the case reserved which satisfied the requirements of the law regarding the rebuttal of the prima facie presumption of innocence, which applied to children between the ages of 7 and 14 He thought the learned Judge ought to hare told the jury that there was no such evidence before them as would justify them, • according to law, in finding that the prima facie presumption of innocence must he rebutted. Accordingly the conviction ought to be quashed. Judges Gillies and Williams were also of opinion that the child was incapable of conspiring, and that the learned Judge should have directed an acquittal of both prisoners. The conviction was therefore quashed. A Cleeical Scandal. —At a meeting of the Presbytery of Christchurch held on Tuesday, the following resolutions were passed in reference to the charges against the minister of St Andrew’s Church, which has been occupying the attention of that body for some time past—' That having heard the report of the Commiitee appointed to enquire into certain charges affecting the character and ministerial standing of the Rev Charles Fraser, and having heard also and carefully considered the depositions of witnesses for and against, and also the explanations and rebutting evidence adduced by the Rev. Charles Fraser laid upon the table, the Presbytery resolve to proceed by way of libel in strict ae cordance with the law of the church. That a Committee be appointed this day to prepare (be libel. That Mr Fraser be suspended Horn the office of the Holy Ministry forthwith; and that the Moderator of the Presbytery (the Rev. A. Blake) be now appointed Moderator of St. Andrew’s Church next Lord’s Day.’ ‘ That the Presbytery express the strongest disapprobation of Mr Fraser’s conduct in excluding them this morning from the usual place of meeting, and in this unworthy attempt to escape from the discipline and withdraw from the jurisdiction of the Church, iu direct contravention of bis ordination vows.’ The second of the above resolutions was occasioned by the fact that the meeting, which was appointed to be held in the St Andrew’s Church, found the doors locked. The meeting was held in the church grounds, and formally adjourned to St. Paul’s Church,

i'aj.s’ i ' i.KTENCE3 — John Johnstone, who levants* I a few days beo, was brought up nt the E. M. Court, Titna.-> . yeetormn, on a chaige of obtaining a promissory n ‘ le * ro ' Mr A. Graham with intent to dr ran 1. D” \v s remanded until ihiday,hail being allowed, himself in £LOJ and two tu etics in L 5q each.

Superstition in England. —A somewhat novel case came before the Ipswhich mugis tratos recently. A woman was charged with obtaining 10s by witchery. The prosecutrix and her daughter both firmly believed that the prisoner exerted a bewitching influence over the latter, and they gave her this sum to remove the spell. The case is interesting, as illustrative of the superstitious ignorance which still exists in some of the provincial districts in England. Suicide op a Giel. —A lamentable case of self destruction is reported in the Melbourne papers. Elizabeth Wilkins, aged 28 years the daughter of a labourer named Thomas Wilkins, died suddenly early on the morning of the 26tli of October from the effects ot strychnine poisoning. The deceased had behaved strangely for some time, and occasionally when spoken to she would stare blankly about without replying. She was often melancholy, and repeatedly said when so affected that she wishe.i she was dead. The deceased did not drink. She was unmarried, but had children, and her despondency was due to her not having seen the father of of them since the birth of her last child. At half-past 5 o’clock on the morning of the 26th, the deceased’s mother heard screams coming from the room in which she slept, and on going there found the deceased in a dying condition. The deceased said, “ Uh, mother, I am dying ; I wish I had not taken it,” at the same time indicating a piece of paper from wdiich she had evidently taken the poison. She was convulsed and hysterical, and medical aid was sent for, hut she died before it arrived.

Fatal Jesting With a Revolver. —A distressing accident occurred at Islington a short time back, by which a widow lady named Hicholls lost her life. She was about 53 years of age, and lived with her son and daughter. The family rented besides a tobacconist’s shop some distance away in the same thoroughfare. Several attempts are said to have been made to break into the business premises, which for a time were left unguarded at night. I3y way of precaution, the son purchased a five-chambered revolver, and, loading it, left it at his mother’s private residence. Among the visitors to the family was a man named Frederick Seaxner, about 19 years old, living at Campbell Road, Bow, who was engaged to Miss Nicholls. On a Saturday evening Seamer entered the house, and almost immediately after a report of firearms was heard, accompanied by a scream, In alarm, several of the inmates ran to the spot and met Seamer, who was frantically calling for a doctor and saying that he had shot ‘ mother ’ meaning Mrs Hichclls, The old lady was found seated in her arm-chair blood flowing copiously from a large wound in her temple. Death was instantaneous. Seamer stated that he took up the weapon and presented it at the deceased in fun, not) thinking it was loaded.

If the owner of the lever watch lost last Friday will call at this office, he can get the same. The partnership hitherto subsisting between Messrs W. Greenaway and Thomas Pyle, bakers, of Geraldine is dissolved. Mr Pyle carries on the business.