LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1103, 10 May 1883, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Bank Holiday.—Monday next will be observed by tbe Bank of New Zealand, lemuka, as a holiday. Lecture. —A lecture by tbe Kev D. Gordon on ' Ireland, Past and Present,' will be given in tbe Voluntoer Hall, Temuka, on Thursday evening, I7tb May. Tjie Ensuino- Session.—An Extraordinary Gazette, published in Wellington on Monday evening, calls Parliament together for the despatch of business on the 1-ifch of June next. Progressing.—The first European flax scutching machine used in the colony, was sent to Soutbbridge on Monday, to be erected at tbe works of the Canterbury Linseed Oil and Eibre Company. Djheci' Vessbis to TiilAHU.—The bftrque Norman McLeod, of 834 tons, left London for Timaru direct on April 17th. She was to be followed by the barque Liirline, of 762 tons.-

Post Sessional Address.—Mr Steward M.H.R., for Waimate, addressed a largo meeting of Lis constituents last Monday evening, and at its conclusion received a vo*e of thanks and confidence, which was carried unanimously.

The Indian Corn Doctor. —At the examination, in Melbourne, re the insolvency of Henry Winter, the well-known New Zealand Great Indian Corn Doctor, the insolvent ■tated that when h« oommenced business at Prahrau last year as a storekeeper he had £2OOO in cash and diamonds, and duriug seven months he lost £4OOO. Ho could neither read nor write, and kept no books to show his receipts or disbursements. In February he sold a quantity of goods at auction at Ballarat which had. not been paid for. The creditors were of opinion the case was of an unsatisfactory nature.

S.C. Industrial Association.—A meeting of the Committee of this Association wa» held in the Borough Council Chambers, Timaru, last Monday evening, and was fully attended. Mr James Bruce occupied the chair. After the minutes of the previous m eting had been confirmed, the reports of the Sub-Committees appointed to enquire into the questions of the manufacture of farina and the establishment o! a fishing industry were presented. These were ef a practical nature, and evoked much discussion, votes of thanks being accorded to the Subcommittees. 'Jhess reports will be laid before the next general meeting, when they will probably be made public. The subject of a paper mill was introduced, and the Secretary read a few statistics and details of its probable cost. It was shown that this industry, besides being a profitable one, would promote half-a-dozen others, each giving constant employment to those engaged in them The Secretary was instructed to collect all information possible on the subject, to be laid before the general meeting, the date of which was fixed for Thursday nex».

Recognition of Claims.—Sir William Hai-court is complimented by British papers as being the first Home Secretary who has had the good sense to recognise the claims of the working classes to be represented on important commissions by members of their own community. One of his first acts was to appo : nt a working man to an inspectorship of factories, and he has recently given further evidence of his desire to do justice to the int.pvp-fs of labor by appointing two representative workmen to visit and inspect the convict prisons in tho vicinity of London. The request was made by the Amalgamated Cabd river's Society, which claimed that, in the interest of prisoners of the working class, a periodical inspection of prisons should be made by representative workmen, " cognizant of the wants, habits and failings of their class, in order that while incarcerated they should net be subjected to undue severity or unjust treatment of any description at the hands of the officials." As prison officials for the most part are persons of military training and sympathy, the suggestion, adds a contemporary, was an important one, and its adoption by Sir William Harconrt is certain to be productive of some go.nl. Waltzing Match.—A somewhat novel contest in tcrpsichorian athletics has taken place in Wellington, which perhaps is not without its advantages, since both sexes can compete simultaneously. "On Saturday night," says (he Times, "a waltzing match took p'ace ab the Foresters' Hall, Tory street, between Messrs Devine and Crockett, their respective partners being Misses C. Kinvague and Mitchell. The stakes were £lO a-side. A general dance had also been arranged, and as the charge for admission was very low, there was a large attendance. The preliminaries had apparently been settled to the entire satisfaction of both;parties, and the match commenced shortly after 10 p.m. The contest left little doubt as to the merits of the performers, the general opinion being that Miss Kinvague entirely outstripped her feminine rival, but that her partner was not equal to his male opponent. Crockett, however, found the circle somewhat narrow, and he as well as his partner stepped out of it quite a number of times. The result was that the stakes were awarded to Mr Devine and Miss Kinvague, the judges remarking that Mr Devine had won only through strict adherence to the rules, and that he had received the most able assistance from his partner."

The Makch of Electricity.—The writer of London Town Talk in the Argus has the following:—An electrical apparatus has been designed for slaughtering animals. It is not likely that science, assisted by human nature, will stop there. If the vital spark can be put out by the electrioal one, our surplus population will soon disappear. As an elder son, without issue, I protest against this invention. If all that is necessary to put a worn-out horso out of his misery is " to wet his head and legs with salt water," and touah it with " a positive pole," a bucket of water over me at the seaside (where there is always a " battery ") will finish me. A prudent man will have to attire himself in non conducting materials, live in a glass house, and wear his wife's silk dresses. The phrase to '* shufle off one's mortal coil " will have a new application—it will be impossible to evade the coil. In summer the opportunities of getting rid of our enemies, or sweeping rivals from our path, will be very frequent, for we shall only have to look out for a thundering da.y t and " poor Jack," or whoever he is, will be " unfortunately struck by lightning," and we shall succeed to his estate very literally " in a flash." It is an ill wind, indeed, that blows nobody good ; and not only heirs apparent and presumptive will benefit by this discovery' but the poor novelists, who for some time have been sadly in want of a new catastrophe. Think of a whole virtuous family (as in " The Wandering Jew ") being cut off " by shocks," except one prudent and scientific member of it, protected by an enchanted wand, whiph turned out to be a lightning conductor, Compared with such a "situation" as this Juleu Verne's conceptions are commonplace,

Educational.—At yesterday's meeting of the Board of Education, it was resolved, on fcho motion of Mr Walcofc seconded by M r Steward—" That the sale of the Temuka school site be left to tho Chairman, with power to act, and the sale of the remaining sections at Waimate to Messrs Steward and Goldsmith." £lO was allocated to Gapes's Valley for fencing. £1 10s was granted to Gapea's Valley, £l2 to Gcraldine, £25 to Milford, £SO to Opihi, £2 to Orari, £lO to Eangitata Island, and £1 10d to Pleasant Point for repairs. Imposino on the Bmhwolent —An extraordinary case of imposture is reported from Melbourne. A girl named Catherine Griffin wrote letters to various persons, in the name of Miss McCoy, daughter of a professor of that name, stating her brother, who was practising law in Tuapeka, New Zealand, was iu destitute circumstances, and unwilling to apply to his father for assistance. Several persona forwarded money, but the imposture was detected. The Bench dismissed the case, as the proof of writing was not sufficiently j clear. It is probable further proceedings will be taken.

A Victoeian J.P.—A case of insolvency is exciting a good deal of comment in Melbourne. William Ernest Petty borrowed money from Aaron Waxman and others on the security of money receivable under his father's will on attaining the age of twentyfive. Waxman advanced £4OOO at 25 per cent interest; if not paid quarterly compound interest to be charged. A clause was inserted in the deed preventing the repaymeut of the principal until the bankrupt eame into the property. Waxman aleo caused Petty to insure his life. The Argus in an article states Waxman is unfit to continue to hold a Commission of the Peace.

Accidents —A painful accident happened to Mr Donald Maclean, the genial auctioneer of Timaru, at the Washdyke Yards last Monday morning. He was drafting some steers in the yards, and one of them jammed the gate against him, a bar of which came in contact with his left temple just above the eye, and inflicted a nasty wound. Dr Macintyre wis at once sent for, and on his arrival he sewed up the wound, after which the sufferer was taken into Timaru. The accident will incapacitate him for some days.— We learn that a lad named Washington had his leg splintered by a kick from a horse on Mr Paterson's farm last Tuesday.

Thb 'Frisco Route.—With regard to the San Francisco mail service the Argus remarks: —" The question is of so much importance as to challenge the attention of all the colonies. At the present moment the San Francisco line is regarded as existing for the special benefit of New South Wales and New Zealand ; but it should be needless to point out that the other colonies are deeply concerned. Apart from the value of the American trade, we have to consider that war in the East, and the closing of the Suez Canal in consequence, might at any moment block our chief means of communication with Grea'i Britain, in which case an AustralAmerican service would afford a valuable alternative route."

Tuk InaNGAHUA Election.—Mr Wakefield's meeting in Reefton last Monday night was the largest ever held there. The Hall was crammed and many were unable to obtain admittance. Mr Wakefield made a very strong speech, rebutting the accusations made against him by Mr Shaw and Mr McLean, and justifying his public career. He was listened to with the utmost attention, and evidently made a great impression on the meeting, who cheered him for several minutes when he sat down. Mr Shaw's supporters then put him through an hour's searching examination. Some of them attacked him severely, but he met them with equal vigor, and a vote of confidence was oarried unanimously amid loud applause. Mr Wakefield called on his friends to come forward to assist him in the contest, and a Working Committee of sixty was formed in the room.

The End of a Compositor.—The Horbart Mercury of May 3rd contains an article headed " A Case for Enquiry," referring to Captain Logan, of the Manapouri, having, on his last passage from New Zealand, caused a passenger who died to be buried at sea within four hours' steaming of Hobart. The passenger was John McKay, a compositor, who embarked at Lyttelton and died after a fit of delirium tremens. It is slated that Captain Logan buried the man at sea because the body being on board was offensive to the passengers, and because it would save the deceased a pauper's funeral and would prevent the vessel being detained in port until «n inauest upon the body had been held, being satisfied in his own mind that death had been caused by the effects of 1 delirium tremens, and believing that the deceased was a waif and a stray, without anyone to call him friend or acquaintance. Wixchesteb School.—The following is the report on the annual standard examiua. tion of the above school, which was held on December 9th, 1882 :—" Staff: Master, Mr A. Dunnett; Assistant Mistress, Miss A. Young. Attendance—Number on roll, 72; average attendance, 62 ; present at examination, 62. Eesults of examination in passes— Standard YI, presented 1, passed 0; Standard V, presented 2, passed 1; Standard IV, presented 10, passed 7; Standard 111, presented 8, passed 8 j Standard 11, presented 15, passed 15 j Standard I, presented 7, passed 7; total presented 43, passed 33; percentage of passes, 88-3. Classification after examination—Passed Standard VI, 0; passed Standard V, 2; passed Standard IV, 8 j passed Standard ,111,11; passed Standard 11, 15; passed Standard I, 7 ; below Standard I, 19 ; total, 62. General remarksThree scholars presented in Standards VI and V have not reached the work of the requirements of the syllabus, the work being very incomplete, but with this exception the school passed a very creditable examination. The lower Standards 111, II and I especially ahow careful preparation and efflcientinstruction. The school is well managed and the discipline and tone satisfactory."

Immiobation and Emigbabion. —A he jfollowing are the immigration and emigration -[ returns for the colony for the last month : Immigration—Auckland, 237; Wellington, 96; Napier, 3 ; Hokitika, 2; Lyttelton, 59; Dunedin, 126 ; Invercargill, 427; total, 950; Emigration—Auckland, 270; Wellington, 114; Lyttelton, 126; Dunedin, 7; Invercargill, 379 j Wanganui, 2; Greymouth, 5; Timaru, 3 ; total, 908.

Shocking Fatal Accident.—A shocking fatal accident occurred at Fielding on Tuesday. A boy ten years of age, named William Salisbury, was thrown from his horse and one of his feet caught in the stirrup. The horse plunged about and then bolted, dragging the unfortunate lad for about a mile. Tho body was found near the railway crossing shockingly mutilated, being disembowelled, both legs and arms broken, and tlia skull scalped and fractured. The body presented a most ghastly appearance..

Bankruptcy of Stavely and Austin.— A meeting of the creditors in the estate of Messrs Stavelv and Austin was held in Dunedin on Tuesday afternoon, when about twentv firms were represented. The assetg are estimated at about £16,000, of which £12,000 is due to the Bank of New Zealand, while thß next highest creditors are Neill and Co., (Limited). It is anticipated by Messrs Stavely and Co that the estate will pay 15s in the £. After discussion, it was resolved to wind up the estate, Messrs Gibson, Ferae r and G. L. Denniston being appointed.liquidators.

The Direct Home Tbadb.—T*kc New Zealand Shipping Company are advised <Jf the arrival of the British King at Bio Janeiro, on May 2, all well. The frozen meat was in prime order. The Company has chartered the Cunard steamer Catalona of tons and 4000 horse-power, to tail this month, following the lonic, She is 430 feet in length and 43 feet in beam, and was built on the Clyde in 1881. She possesses great speed. Tue saloon accommodation in the British

Queen is being rapidly taken up, and several through passengers from Sydney are going by her. A number of berths by the lonic are also already taken. Arrangements have been made for salt meat to be frozen here, to give people an id«a of its condition when reaching the English market.

Mr J. Meyer has 10,000 willow stakes for sale j also a few posts. Mr John Lawson noiifies the impounding of a bay hack gelding in the Temuk^^nd. Messrs Maclean and Stewart a sale of horses at their Timaru Bazaar next Saturday. Mr G-. Bolton notifies that a first dividend is payable to the proved creditors of A. W. Surridge. Alsssrs Maclean and Stewart and R. Wilkin and Co. notify that their skin sale is postponed till Wednesday next. Mr J. A. Young notifies that he will apply for a certificate for the issue of a license, for a house situated ut Winchester at the June Licensing meeting of the Temuka Commissioners.

Mr F. Storey will, at the next sitting of the Temuka Licensing Committee, apply for a certificate authorising the issue of a publican's license to him for a house situate in Wallingford. The Stranger in London.—That the Great City will ere long be hardly recognisable by its former denizens, all the world has heard. The visitor passing up the Thames now finds his eye gratified by the many edifices recently erected. As he reaches the famous Victoria Embankment, there over him on the right hand the new Times office, and on the left hand tho new towercrowned work 3 of Messrs James Epps and Co, both phases- of Italian archifecture. It may be said that these two buildings types of the far reaching business energy of the nineteenth century, for it has rssulted from such means that these two establishments have brought themselves to the fore, and that the annual issue of each has come tQ be estimated by millions. During the last year, the number ef copies of the Times is estimated at 16,276,000, while the number of packets of Epps's Cocoa sent off .in the same period is computed at 14,749,695." The latter is a large total, when it is borne in mind in 1830 the consumption of Cocoa throughout the whole kingdom was but 425,3821b5, there then existing no preparation of it such as this, which by the simple addition of boiling water would yield a palatable drink. Truly time may be said to work many changes.