The Temuka Leader TUESDAY. MAY 1, 1883. THE A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1099, 1 May 1883, Page 2

The Temuka Leader TUESDAY. MAY 1, 1883. THE A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

It is said, though perhaps without much reason, that the people of Geraldine and Temuka are jealous of each other, and can never be got to pull together however good the cause may be. This may, or may not be the case. Wherever there are two neighboring towns whoso residents are anxious to go ahead guch disagreements cannot well be avoided; as each town is bound to try to secure for itself anything that is calculated to advance it, and consequently jealousies must arise. But when things turn up in which both parties have equally interest, and to combine together heartily would result in mutual benefit, jealousies ought be put aside. One matter ii« which the Temuka and Geraldine people are equally interested is the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and they ought to unite together iu forwarding that institution. Its name is the Temuka and Geraldine Agricultural and Pastoral Association ; its grounds are as centrally situated betwepn the two districts as they could well be, one locality cannot benefit by it more than the other, and, in short, it possesses every element that ought to make both parties unite in furthering the object it has in view. Still the institution, we are sorry to say, is not in a very flourishing condition. It languishes for want of interest being taken in it, a'though it is difficult to realise how it can be so in the heart of certainly the i most thickly populated and richest district in New Zealand. Tins is very much to be regretted. Agricultural Associations have done an enormous amount of good wherever they have been established, and there is no reason why they should not yield similar results in this district. Every element necessary to success—except energy on the part of the people—is present on the spot; nothing is wanted, and yet the Association is in a very sickly condition. There tvill, we are informed, be an effort made to a show next season, and then an opportunity will be given tr> the people to extend to it their patronage. 11' the people combine together it cannot fail to be a success ; if they do not it will be a failure. All that is required is that farmers shall exhibit their stock and take an interest in tho Association, and surely that is not a great sacrifice for them to make, when the show is got up specially for the benefit of the district. Some people prefer taking their stock to the Tiraaru Show, and against the adoption of such a course there can be no objection, but they ought to remember that a lecal show would be very useful to them in ascertaining what they have fit to exhibit in Tiraaru. In a local show, in a friendly competition with their own neighbors, they will be able to see whether their stock is fit to exhibit in limaru, and, if not, they can spare themselves the trouble and expense of entering there. There are a great many who have good stock never take the trouble of entering them at the Timaru Show. If these only exhibited successfully a few times at a local show, it would have the effect of bringing them forward and of arousing \hem to greater activity. But the great curse of this district is that no regard is paid to anything local. Anything outside Timaru is no good, and hence the apathy which is running the district to nr'n." Now, Ellesmere is very near Ch'ristchui'ch, where the best show in New Zealand is held, and yet the people of Ellesmere hold very successful shows, with the result that there are few districts in New Zealand where there is better stock. Rangiora, Waimate,

etc. have their shows, and much good is done by them. Not one of these is equal to the Temuka-Gcraldine district. Whether for grazing purposes or growing crops this district cannot be equalled, and yet in many respects it is behind the others. To push it forward needs only an effort on the part of the people. If a show is held next season, they will be afforded an c pportunity of uniting for a good object, and we trust thpy will do so when the time comes. Wo must say, indeed, that the farmers of the district have to a great extent adopted our suggestions hitherto, and we hope they will do so in the present instance,

Auction Sale.—Messrs J. Mundell and Co will hold their usual monthly stock sale in G-eraldine to-morrow.

Mount Peel Eoad District. The annual meeting of ratepayers in the above district takes olace to-day, at noon, in the Eoad Board om>e, Peel Forest. Temuka Eoad Board. The monthly meeting of this Board takes place to day. Intending contractors are reminded that thei r tenders must be sent in not later than ten o'clock.

Important Sale.—Messrs Maclean and Stewart will hold an importaufc sale of stock and plant at Smithfield farm, one mile fro m Winchester, to-day. The sale commences at 11 o'clock sharp. Full particulars will be found in advertisement; Child Burned to Death. —About twelve o'clock last Friday night, a fire broke out in a small wooden tenement of three apartments in Port Chalmers, owned and occupied by Mr James Holden, fisherman. After the fire was put out, the charred remains of Mary Holden, aged two years, were discovered. Mrs Holden states that she lay down on the bed without undressing, alongside of the deceased, at about nine o'clock, and was awakened by the crackling of tho flames. She jumped off the bed and ran into the street, leaving the little girl in the bed. Tho house and furniture were uninsured.

1.0.G.T. —A very successful open meeting was held by the members of the Hope o„ Hilton Lodgf, at Timaru, last week, about 100 persons being present. The chair was occupied by Bro Miller, W.C.T., who opened the proceedings in an appropriate speech* after which songs and recitations were given by members present. Bro McCann, of Temuka, addressed the meeting in an entertaining and instructive address on Templarism, and was loudly cheered on resuming his seat. Refreshments were provided by Bro Gunuion at his own expense. The chairman having urged the visitors present to join the Order, the meeting terminated to the entire satisfaction of all.

Trotting Match.—Over two hundred persons assembled on the Tiniam Eacecourse last Friday, to witness the trotting match between Mr J. O'Connor's horse Counsellor, and Mr T. Miner's (Chrigtchureh) horse Cock Eobin. Counsellor was ridden by his owner, Frank Poff, and Cock Eobin by W. Thompson. The former was allowed 20 seconds start, of which he made good use> but was eventually overhauled by the latter, who won easily, covering the distance of three miles m Omins 14-h or losecs. The event created a good deal of interest among local sporting men, and iudeed a good many came down from Christchurch to witness the performance. Maori Oppression.—A striking contradiction of the allegation that the colonists ol New Zealand are a race of oppressors, was furnished at the last sitting of the Supreme Court, held at Wanganui, The two Maor x prisoners convicted of perjury and unlawful wounding respectively, were tried by a jury composed of their own countrymen, whose intelligence and demeanour, ws are told, would compare favorably with that of Europeans. Considering the many absurd statements that have from time to tune been made by those who have apparently trusted rather to imagination than facts regarding the maltreatment of the people whose countries we hav« annexed, we trust tho above will serve as one instance, at least, of the justice and humanity of a dominant race towards an inferior poople. Fire in Temuka.—A four-roomed cottage situated almost opposite Mr Wheelband's nursery, and owned aud occupied by Mrs Thompson was burned to the ground last Monday morning, about 2 o'clock. Mrs Thompson was in bed reading by the light of an oil lamp until about 130 a m. She then turned the lamp down and went to sleep, but was shortly afterwards aroused by an explosion, aud soon noticed that the roam was in flames. She rushed out of the house, taking nothing with her but the counterpain that was on the bod, and called out to some neighbors to come to her assistance. Messrs Voyce, Worthington, Lubey and some others were soon on the spot, but the fire had by this time obtained such ahold of tho premises that it was impossible to arrest its progress Everything was completely burned to ashes, not a vestige of it remaining. The cottage was insured for £l5O, but there was no insurance on the furniture or the clothing it contained. Mrs Thompson is therefore a loser to a considerable extent, as she was unable to save anything.

The AcciDKifT to tiie G-ibl G-eant. —We have received a copy of the Australian Medical Gazetto containing an articlo contributed to it by Dr Hayes, respecting the accident from which the girl Grant suffered. Dr Hayes, after describing the accident and how it occurred, together with his treatment, continuss as follows :—When first allowed to walk the girl felt " loose," and a feeling as though she were falling asunder; this only exists in a very slight degree at present, and is quite counteracted hy a firm band round the hips. The separation of symphysis in this case, most probably, was caused by the violent forcing asunder of the girl's thighs, when her left foot was fast in the near stirrup, and her body suspended over the off side of the horse. It is remarkable that no other dislocation or fracture occurred. Traumatic separation of symphysis pubis, without fatal injury to the soft parts is a very rare accident. Hamilton iu his work on Fractures and Dislocations, only mentions seven instances. One cape of Sir Astley Cooper's, related by him as occurring in a man of 22, is the most like the present case of any I can find recorded. Sir A. Cooper's case was cured iu three months, without after inconfcinence of urine. A firai belt round the hips was used in this case, and Dr Hamilton expresses an opinion to the effect that though its use may be problematical in fractures of the pelvis, where possible, the bandages round the hips should always be applied in sepora« tion of symphysis, a> early as possible.

Vital Statistics—The following are the vital statis ics for the Temuka district for the month of April:—Births, 8 ; marriages, 3 ; and deaths, 2.

Gekaldine Eoad District.—The annua meeting of ratepayers in the above ditsrict takes place to-morrow, at noon, at the Eoad Board office, G-eraldine.

Attempted Suicide. A man named David Eiske attempted to comtnii suicide by cutting his throat with a knife at Waihola near Dunedin, last Saturday. The wound is not dangerous.

Arson. —The charge of argon against M» T. Daniels, whioh has occupied the Resident Magistrate's Court, New Plymouth, most of last week, was brought to a conclusion by Daniels being committed for trial, bail being refused.

Accident.—A man named T. Butler, onoe hotelkeeper at Opihi and lately butcher afr Waitohi, fell from his horse in crossing the river a few days ago, and had several of his vibs broken. He was otherwise injured and lay there until next morning, when he was taken away by a neighbor. On last Friday he was taken to the Tivnaru hospital in a very bad condition. A New Chum.—A most impudent theft was committed in Princes street, Dunedin, on Saturday last. A new arrival named John Graves stole a dozen tweed hats from the shop door of Mr Masters, hatter, and shortly afierwards attempted to dispose of them to their owner. He was given in charge, and on Saturday was sentenced to two months' imprisonment.

Fibe. —A seven roomed house, owned by Mr John Clarke, and occupied by James Webb, was burnt down at Phillipstown f Christchurch, at four o'clock last Saturday morning. Fires are becoming common in this quarter of the suburb's. The house was insured for £250 in the Union, and the furniture for £2OO in the Colonial and £2OO in another office. The origin of the fire is unknown.

A Correspondent's Expenses. —Mr Gordon Bennett, the 'wealthy and enterprising proprietor of the New York Herald, spares no expense in keeping his constituents well informed on all matters of public interest. The bill of the Herald's Russian correspondent for an 18 months' residence in St Petersburg, amounted to over £20,000, or more than the annual income of the majority of colonial papers,

Prison Regulations.—The Gazette contains some important new regulations for the public prisons of the colony under the Prisons Act, 1882. Included among them is a system of classification of prisoners. On entering they are to be placed in a probation class, and by good conduct they may subsequently raise themselves successfully into the third class, second class, first class and special classes with corresponding increase of privileges and gratuities to be paid to them on leaving gaol In future no 6mokiug is to be allowed in the prisons of the colony. Extraordinary Escape,—A girl, two years old, daughter of T. Smith, of the Eangiora flour mills, had a peculiar escape from drowning. She full into the mill stream and was taken out seemingly lifeless. Measures were taken to restore animation, and on opening her mouth it was found to be full of half-masticated food, which she was eating when she fell into the water- This stopped up her tnroat, preventing the entrance of water or the expiration of air, thus keeping her afloat. On removal of the food the child showed signs of revival, and by night wa* fully recovered.

Co-operatitb ASSOCIATION.—At a meet* ing of the Southland Farmers' Co-operative Association, held at Invercargill, the quostion of increasing the capital was discussed, as it was found to be too small, and that owing to mismanagement the Association had not worked satisfaetoriy. The losses, a 3 far as could be ascertained, amounted to £2BOO, which was in a great measure due to the bad condition in which the grain was shipped, for want of proper supervision. The custom of giving credit to shareholders was criticised, and it was resolved—" That instead of trading on an ostensible cash basis, credit terms should be given," A resolution that it was desirable to increase the number of shares rather than make fresh calls was carried with some dissent.

The Brunner Coal. —This coal is becoming popular, Messrs Xennody Bros, of the Brunner coal mine have just concluded a contract with the Noumea Nickel Company to supply 250 tons of coke, and 100 tons of coal monthly. The Pelham, an iron barque, has been purchased and will be despatched in May. Another vessel will be provided by Stone Bros, of Auckland. Previously the Nickel Company obtained all their coke and coal from Newcastle, but. having seen a sample of the Brunner coke and coal have entered into the present contract. Hitherto the Brunner coke ovens have been turning out only 100 tons per month, though materia enough to manufacture 300 tons per month has been thrown into the river. New coka ovens are now in course of ereotion, a cargo of bricks for that purpose having been sent up a few days ago.

! Extermination of Rabbits.—Bunny is to be subjeeted to a new treatment to ensure extinction of the race. A gentleman writing to the Argus on the subject proposes to innoculate some rabbits with the Tirus of a disease to which they are peculiarly sus« ceptible, and concludes as follows:—" So convinced am I of the effectiveness of my proposal in abolishing this terrible plague, that, should the Government of the colony, or any body of gentlemen whose runs are affected desire it, I am willing ou the pay. ment of my actual travelling expenses, to leave for a time my professional work, go into the rabbit.infested districts, and innoculate a sufficient number of animals to ensure the destruction of tho race, ou the under« standing that I may trust wiih confidence to the generosity of the persons benefited for my reward, this only to be paid when rabbits in the district worked on are practically exfcinoK" % ,

Encoitkagbment to Industry.-Bonuses are offered by Government of 50 per cent on the value realised for the first £IOO worth of cocoons of the silk worm, produced in the colony ; £SOO for the first £2OOO worth of manganese, or of manganese bronze; £3OO for the first £ISOO worth of marble exported for not less than 9s per cubio foot; £SOO for the first 250 tons of antimony; and £IOOO for the first 200 tons of iron of marketable quality from local ore. E..M. Ooubt, Tkmuka.—Owing no doubt to the morning being so wet and cold the Besident Magistrate did net hold a Court in Temuka yesterday. The Court was adjourned until that day week. People from a conliderable distance were in attendance, but had t o go back borne again without having their cases heard. We have frequently called attention to the inconvenience people are put to in this way, but it seems to have no effect.

Accident to Mia Wilis.—We regret-to learn that Mr Wills, Clerk of the Court at Temuka met with a rather serious accident last Friday night. He'drove into Timaru last Friday afternoon, and when returning home the wheel of his trap came in contact with a telegraph post, as he was coming out on the road from the side to avoid a pool of water. The coucussion resulted in throwing him out of the trap on the road, and rendering him insensible. When he recovered he found his horse quietly grazing beside him' neither itself nor th» trap having sustained any injury. He then came home, and is progressing favorably. He was considerably shaken, but he will, it is expeotsd, be all right in a day or two. The Weather. —The weather broke again last Saturday morning, and continued to rain almost without intermission up to the fcrraa of going to press. Yery heavy rain fell, and was accompanied by a cold piercing wind. This is the wettest season that the oldest inhabitants remember in New Zealand. Yesterday afternoon the Tenmka river began to overflow its banks. The water began to flow into the flax at the back of Mr Burrows', and rush down towards the town. Yery soon Yine street was all under water, and it continued to rise, till about dusk it had reached the back of the Temuka Hotel, and also the other houses along that side of the Main street. From within a few yards of the Star Hotel to the bridge the road was completely under water to a height of about 4ft with a very strong current rushing along it. Mr Lee was completely flooded out, and the family had to seek refuge in a little house at the baek of his dwelling house. The flood rose as high as the counter in the shop, and must have done a great deal of damage to the goods. Several people living in houses in the back street near the river were also flooded out, and must have sustained considerable loss. On the low-lying land between the river and the town there are a great many cattle and horses running, and as it is all under water, it is feared that some of them will get drowned. At 9 o'clock, when, as we are writing, it is raining rery heavily, and likely to continue so. The flood has not- risen anything since sis o'clock, but fears are entertained that the Orari river will «ome down as it did in 1868, and if it does the result will, be disastrous. There was no appearance of such an occurrence, however, at the time we went to press. It is the highest flood that has visited Temuka for the last four years. So far as we were able to ascertain the bridges are safe, and no damage to them is anticipated.

The Mount PeelEoad Board invite tenders for several works. Mr A. Story notifies that he has lost a brown lurcher slut, and cautions anyone against de'aining same. Messrs Bobert Wilkin and Co, auctioneers, etc, Timaru, have a 500-acre farm for sale, situated at Tiko Flat. At their rooms, to morrow, they will sell a large quantity of household furniture, etc.

Messrs Maclean and Stewart, auctioneers, Timaru, will hold a sale of a choice lot of horses next Saturday, the property of the late T. E. Araitage, Esq. To morrow, two miles from the Washdyko, they will sell the lease of a dairy farm and live and dead stock thereon. At .Timaru, on tl'e Bth May. they will sell the foundrv in Timaru known as Parson's Foundrv, with stock-in-trade.