LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1113, 26 June 1883, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Personal.—Mr D. M. Mackay, the late Manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Temuka, took his departure yesterday by the express train. A large number of his friends assembled on the railway platform to bid him God speed. GeRALDINI DAIRY AND BACON-CURING Company Offers are invited by the Direetors of this Company from landowners for the salo of 20 acres of land. For further particulars we refer our readers to our advertising columns. . . . Loyal Alexandrovna Lodge, 1.0.0. F. —To-morrow evening, at half past seven o'clock, a summoned meeting of the Brethren of this Lodge will be held, for the purpose of electing officers for the ensuing term. All members must attend. Concert at Mil-ford.—We would remind our readers of the concert and dance that will be held in the Milford schoolroom tomorrow evening in aid of the school fund. As several amateurs from Tiaiaru, Temuka and Geraldine will assist the local talent; we may expect a thoroughly enjoyable evening's entertainment.

The Saltation Army.—On Sunday last the ' Army ' commenced their services in the Central Auction Rooms, Timaru, at 7 a.m., with knee drill, or prayer meeting. The 11a.m,3p.m. and 7 o'clock services were crowded, the procedings being most orderly throughout. Temuka Rifle Volunteers. —The usual Government quarterly parade of the Volunteers was held in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka, on Wednesday last, by . Lieut. Colonel Lean. Ciptain Newall, District Adjutant, was also present. Thirty four, of the Volunteers, including officers, answered to the roll, and were under the command of Lieutenant Findlay. The corps was putthrough a series of movements, and at their oonclusion they were complimented in flattering terms by Lieut. Colonel Lean on their general efficiency, which far better thin when he was in Temuka last. Kakahu Debating Societt.—Some of the inhabitants of Kakahu have endeavored to start a Mutual I.nprovement and Literary Society. Not many at present have given their names, but a beginning has been made, rules drawn up, and the necessary officers appointed amongst the resideuts in the districfc. The first; meeting was held on Thurs day, June 14th, at the gchoolhouse, Hilton, when Mr Cooke, the schoolmaster, delivered a,n easily on ' Agricultural Chemistry.' It dealt chiefly with the substances contained in the s il which are necessary for the growth of plants, and the function of manures in the tupplying what- micht be wanting. The at tendance was small but nevertheless an animated discussion followed. The next meeting is to be held on June 28th, when Mr Duncan, the promoter of the Society, has consented to deliver an essay on ' Honesty.'

Important Land Sale.—The Commissioner of Crown Lands intimates in our advertising column! that on the 18th September next a large area of land will be open for application, for small farm allotments on deferred payments as suburban and rural land. Plans mar be seea at the Surrey Offices, in Christcburch and Timaru. Kakaht; Public Library.—A meeting of the inhabitants of Kakahu was held in the schoolhouse, Hilton, recently (Mr E. Skinner in the chair) to reorganise the affairs of the Public Library. The resignation of Mr Hay, as Treasurer, was aecepted with regret. The meeting then proceeded to appoint a new Committee, and also lowered the rate of subscription to 5s a year, for the sake of attracting new members.

Parliamentary Items.—ln the House of Eepresentatives, on Friday, Mr Montgomery asked the Colonial Treasurer to bring on Supply, so that he might move a rote of censure on the Government, in connection with the imprest obtained on the last day of the financial period. On the vote being taken on the question that the House go into Committee of Supply, 43 yoted for and 29 against the Government. The Hon Major Atkinson stated that he would be prepared to make the Financial Statement to-morrow (Wednesday).

Illitbkate JOSTICES. MrT. McDormot, a Melbourne solicitor, having recently made some severe strictures on the character and fitness of some of the unpaid Magistrates, has been called upon to explain. In the course of a letter of explanation he remarks: — "On Wednesday last being Court day, a gentleman with an inquiring turn of mind took an opportunity, we are told, of examining the record for the day. Five cases had been determined, and in four of them the Magistrate who signed the book displayed illiteracy. In No. 2, 'gunea' costs were allowed; In No 3, gunec* costs or seven days in 'goal'; In No 4 'ginea costs, default 'distres.' No. 5 case was dismissed without 'predgrus.'" Babbahous Pabehts.—A recent inquest at Sydney revealed an almost ineredible degree of barbarity practiced by the wife of a cabman;named Hamilton towards her newly-born child. The evidence given by the midwife shocked all present. The mother was drunk, and another woman, also drunk, was with her, and in consequence of their brutal and disgusting conduct—rolling over the child, which fell out of bed, and giving it no nourish. ment—the infant died. The details of the father's conduct also produced a sensation of horror in Conrt.

Too Ci/EVEB by Hai/F.—As good a story as we hare heard for a long time comes from Timaru. There is in that town a man who pays all he owes but experiences greai difficulty in getting money due to him. A short time ago he sent a cheque by post to a certain lady in the town to whom he owed that suuij and waa surprised sometime afterwards to find the lady applying to him for the money. He told her lie had sent it through the post office and this led to an investigation resulting in the letter containing th« chequs being found unopened in the lady's waste paper basket. The lady then explained that when she got the letter she thought it was only a "dun" and threw it into the basket unopened. Her action seems to indicate that she pays little attention to " duns."

South Oeaei School Committee.—The monthly meeting of this Committee was held on the 18th inst. there being present Messrs R. A. Barker (Chairman), Binskin, May, Bisset, and Win. McLeod: The minutes of the previpns meeting were read and con firmed and a few routine letters from the Board of Education were also dealt with. Mr Binskin handed in the sum of £l, being one month's rent of room, from the members of the dancing class. The teacher reported the average attendance of pupils as 52. and the number on roll, 75. He also enclosed Mrs Eraser's resignation as sewing mistress, and stated that Miss Fraser was willing to undertake the duties. .He requested information as to the date and duration of th§ winter holidays. Resolved —" That Mrs Fraser's resignation be accepted with regret; the same to take effect from 18th July, and that Miss Fraser be appointed to the vacant position. Resolved—" That the school break up on the 22nd inst to re-assemble on Ist July." Mr May was appointed visitor for the ensuing month. The meeting tVen'ad* journed till the third Monday in July.

Dunedin Gaol Enquiry.—At the official enquiry iuto the past management of tile Dunedin Gaol, the chaplain (Rev J. A. Tomnce) made some very grave charges against Mr Caldwell, the late Governor. On a complaint having been made to him by one of the warders, he saw Cummock, a prisoner undergoing sentence for the fire at the Dunedin Athenaeum. The prisoner was in one of the darkest cells, and stated that for three nights he had been made to lay on an asphalt flooring in an open corriior. Prisoner suffered from rheumatic fever, Witness had no confidence in the Visiting Justices, and therefore did not inform them of what was tnking place. Because he paid special atten tion to the prisoners, Caldwell seemed to have a down on them. Caldwell appeared to have supreme power over the Visiting Justices. In consequence of this he (witness) refrained from holding special services for two years and nine months. Since the change in the management he had noticed a marked change in regard to the additional terms of imprisonment. The prisoners invariably expressed themselves satisfied with the present management. Before entering on his duties he had been told that ' Caldwell was Lord God of the Gaol,' and he had found it to be a fact, for his power was immense. T. W. Tait, a prisoner in the gaol.sta'ed that when he was first received he was put on half rations He was afterwards sent to Port Chalmers gaol, but was unfit for the work, On complaining he was taken before the gaoler, who said he was lazy and had too much tongue. He was run into his cell, and again placed on half-rations. He was again charged wi h idleness on two occasions, and got fourtpeu

days' additional confinement. He had to complain of being punished when he did no» deserve it. Ha asked the Commissioners to look into his case. He could get no satisfaction from the gaol surgeon (Dr Burns).

A Stabtmng- Ohakgk.— This is what occurred at Plymouth, England, after a speech from "General" Booth, of the Saltation army . _"Arough looking bulky man stepped forward in a dilapidated jersey and trousers to correspond, and related the blessings he had experienced as a result of his conversion. Suddenly before the audience, the man loosened two or three strings, kicked of the jersey and trousers, and stood confessed in the smart uniform of the Army trim, orderly, and respectable. This circus trick had a wonderful effect upon the audience. There was at first a murmur of surprise, and then a chorus of •Hallelujahs' from all parts of the meeting." A Femai/K doctob of Medicine.—The following notice appears in the G-azetts of 14th inst.:—" I, Anna Mary Longshore Potts, Doctor of Medicine, now residing in Auckland, haying deposited evidence of my qualifications with the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Mirriages of the Auckland District this day, give notice that I intend to apply to be registered under the New Zealand Medical Act, 1869, on the 12th day of June, 1883." This lady is now in Nelson giving lectures to ladies. It is understood that she is going round the principal towns in the colony. She is a Quakeress.

Dr Poster, Q-eraldine, offers a suitable reward for the recovery of a bay hack gelding. :? ' Messrs Maclean and Stewart will sell at their Timaru Bazaar to-morrow—skins, hides, etc. Mr K.I. Gray will sell at his salerooms to-morrow, under instructions from Mr H. S Austin, furniture and effects. . We would refer our readers to Messrs Priest and'Holgate's ironmongery announcement, of new goods just arrived and on sale at their establishment, Ma'n Head, Timaru.; Messrs Gabites and Plants, drapers, Victoria House, Timaru, notify that during their .last seven days' sale of bankrupt stock, there will be further reductions in wool plaids, blankets, men's suits etc.

Messrs A. A. Langbein and Co., notify in our advertising columns that persons desirous of furnishing their houses should visit their establishment and inspect their large stock of useful and unique articles. Mr A. W. Ensor has filed a deed of arrangemeist in the Bankruptcy Court, and J. J. Griffin has notified his inability to meet his engagements with his creditors. Mr W. G. Aspinall is the solicitor engaged in both cases. . .