The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1883. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1137, 21 August 1883, Page 2

The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1883. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Served Him Right.—David McCartney of Wanganui, for cruelly beating and kicking his son, six jean old, and pushing him into the fire, was sent to gaol for fourteen days, with bard labor, without the option of a fine. The English Harvest.—A cable des* patch of Julj 14th s'ates the outlo k for the English is not so favorable as reported. The preceding week’s heavy dorms had damaged the wheat in many places, but still the general prospects are good. Acquitted.—The case against Branchman Moore, of the Auckland Fire Brigade, who was arrested by Sergeant Clark on the night of the Albert street fire, for using threatening language, was dismissed, the Bench holding that as no actual breach of the peace had occurred the fireman should not bare been arrested. The case has excited great public interest; The Marionettes.—The Marionettes, about which we have been hearing ao mm h lately, will appear in the Volunteer Hall, Temnka, next Thursday evening. Wherever they have appeared they have been well spoken of by the Press, and their performances pronounced most amusing and entertaining. It is to be hoped they will have a large audience.

A Terrible Tbagedt.—There was a tragedy in Bedford on July 17th which caused great excrement. A parly were playing lawn tennis near the ‘ Ship Inn ’ at St. Cuthbert’s, in the centre of tho town ; Mr Deter, an army officer,and Miss McKay, a handsome girl of twenty years of age, being among the players. Suddenly, aud without apparent provocation, Deter pulled out a revolver and shot Miss McKay dead, and then blew out his own brains. Both victim* were well known in society, and in both cases the only surviving relatives are widowers. It is believed jealousy was the motive of the crime.

Her Match—The 1 Hallelujah Lasses’ of the Salvation Army at Home are said to be very ’cute but they sometimes meet their match. Here is an example ;—A * navvy’ was standing at a street corner the .other day enjoying his pipe very heartily. A contingent of the Salvation Army, headed by a female brandishing an umbrella and walking with her face to the Army, as usual, came past. The female, noticing the excavator, * went for him,’ and said, ‘ My good man, if God had wanted you to smoke he would have put a chimney at the top of your head.’ The man in the moleskin made answer. * Jsy good woman, if God had wanted you to walk backwards he would have put your feet the other way!’ The young woman re* mined her march without-another word.

Young Australia.—A Melbourne youth (says a Sydney paper) has been writing to the papers upon a subject which he says is of burning interest and endless importance to the men of Australia. He seriously asserts that ‘ Earls, Lords, and Honourable are making a habit of coming out to these colonies and carrying off all the prettiest and wealthiest heiresses, which, to say nothing of the intolerable affront of the thing, is a serious injury to native born men.’ He further complains that the daughters of tfce land are beginning to treat with the highest disdain the advances of Australian men, and swear that 1 nothing’ less than a lord or a duke shall satisfy their ambition. In order that the local matrimonial market may recover its lost tone, this apparently jilted 1 cornstalk’ suggests that a heavy poll-tax should be imposed upon every titled Englishman who seeks our shores.

Drowning of Captain Webb.—Captain Webb, the noted English swimmer, who first came into notice by his notorious feats in the English Channel perished on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 24th, in attempting to swim the Niagara whirlpool rapids. He was rowed in a skiff to a point in the river opposite the old ‘ Maid of the Mist 5 landing by John McClay, a ferryman at the Falls, and leaped from the boat at two minutes past four o’clock. The daring swimmer passed the big rapids all right, keeping in the middle of the-stream. When ha struck the whirlpool he was rushed to the American side, where tho waves it is estimated are from thirtv to forty feet high. The last seen of him was the throwing up of one arm. The river was searched for two miles below the whirlpool, but no trace of the drowned man was found. It is generally believed that he was engulphed in the whirlpool. Webb leaves a wife an 1 one child in England.

Osteioh Farming. Mr Matson, of Christchurch, has imported from Australia two ostriches, with the intention of introducing ostrich farming. One bird died on the soy age.

Boat Race.—The Hanlon, iHosmer and Lee boat race at Fulton, New York, on July 26th, was won by the first named, the time being : Hanlan, 19.40; Hosmer, 19.50 ; Lee, 19.50. The course is not a full three mile

one. Good Templars’ Hall, Geraldine.— On Friday evening last tenders were opened for the erection of a Good Templars’ Hail, Geraldine, when that of Mr Clousfon, at £lO2, was accepted. There were six tenders in all. We understand that no time wiit be lost in getting the building put up. Divoeob Cocut.—At the Divorce Court, Wellington, on Friday, the case of Neil v. Neill was disposed of. This was a suit instituted by Maria Neill for a dissolution of her marriage with George James Neill, on the j ground of cruelty and adultery. Tbeio was no appearenoe of the respondent, nor was he represent by counsel. After the petitioner bad given evidence, His Honor held that the charges of cruelty and adultery had been established, and pronounced a decree nisi. Lighting Fires in the Open Aie.—On several occasions lately wo hare observed fires lighted in the open air in and around Geraldine. During the prevalence of such windy weather as we hare been lately experiencing, we would suggest that these firelighters should exercise a little precaution. When boys are concerned, who wantonly set fire to whatever inflammable material that mar come within the r reach, we would suggest, that when caught they should be well birched as a deterrent in the future. r J he Blue Ribbon.—An aged Maori put in an appearance at a Masterton hotel the other day with a blue ribbon pinned to his coat (writes the Wairarapa Daily). He had been told that this decoration was a sort of ‘ open sesame’ to an unlimited number of free drinks. When he tried the virtues of the mystic talisman he was informed that it meant that while he wore it no man was allowed to ask him to drink Upon this ho threw the ‘true blue’ into the gutter and stamped upon it indignantly Milford School Committee. The monthly meeting of this Committee was held on August 13th. Present —Messrs Woodley (Chairman), Waroing, Maze, Woodhe.d, Parks and Brown. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The master’s report showed number on roll: bo\», 24 ; girls 23 j total 47 ; average, 17 bo\s and 16 girls; total 33. A letter from the Education Board stating that £3 lOs has been paid t o credit of the Committee with the Bank of New Zealand for incidentals for the quarter, and that £25 was granted for repairs t j the school and master’s house wos read. Also a letter from the Education Board en closing applications for the post of master for the school. After having examined the applications, it was resolved that Mr Smith Ansted’s application be accepted. The meeting then adjourned to the first Monday in September. A Quarrelsome Council.—Matter* in the Borough of West Harbor, which is within a couple of miles of Dunedin, have become somewhat complicated. For some years a question has been agitated regarding the closing of a road line, and the present trouble began through a charge being Lid by the Town Clerk (Mr Newron) against the Mayor (Mr John McNeil) of temporarily obstructing the road, with the view of destroying or abstracting an important document relative to the matter. The charge, which was in writing, created a sensation amongst the ratepayers, who held a meeting and called upon the Mayor to resigns Meantime the Council, after hearing the Mayor’s explanation ebout the abstraction of the letter, had carried a resolution (on the casting vote of the Mayor) that the Mayor's state-, ment was the more worthy of belief, and further, by a majority of one, to discharge the Town Clerk. Now the Clerk (Mr Newton) has burned the municipal books, or some of them, including the cash-book (it is stated), for which he will probably be prosecuted. Fikb.— 4, fire occurred at Belcher’s store Upper Queen street, Auckland, at 1 o’clock on Thursday morning. Mr Belcher had leased the store for 21 years on the Ist June and the loss falls most heavily on that gentlo man. Mr Belcher had the buildings insured for £6OO in the National, and Robertson and Maxwell the lessee, had them insured for £6OO with the same company. o*ing to their having a lease they bad also a policy of £SOO on the stack and £SOO on the plant. There was about £2OO worth of maize in the store at the time of the fire, besides a quantity of country produce- They had recently purchased a gas machine at a cost of £3OO, and had also a chaff-cutter and oats and maize crushing machines, sawing plant for firewood A dray was destroyed, and two horses which were in the stables, and valued at £SO, were burnt to death —all efforts to release them being fruitless. Donnelly, adjoining, was insured for £175 in ihe South British, and hu house was badly charred, and his furniture and goods greatly knocked about bv removal. Mrs Bibles’ (an adjoining resident) premises were insured m tbe New Zealand office for £2OO, and have sustained considerable damage, her furniture being also greatly damaged by removal. Mrs Bible*’ is an aged widow, and was so much affected by the fire that she had to bo removed to Mr. Belcher’s Upper Queen street, where she was kindly attended to. Messrs Robertson and Maxwell’s loss will be total, as nothing was saved. The building was a vevv extensive one of corrugated iron. Tbe loss and dam (go to property adjacent is estimated at £2OOO. Mr Robertson says he locked up the stores himself at 7 o’clock on Thursday eight, and left everything perfectly secure He is unable to throw any light upon ihe origin of the fire.

Petty Lakceny.— For some time past, firewood stealing has become quite an industrial labor in Geraldine, but to such an extent has it been carried on lately, that we have heard of peopie who have bored holes in their wood and filled them up with gunpowder. By this means the thief or thieves will he discovered, and therefore we would advise the n if they require afire to boil their water for breakfast purposes to obtain it legitimately, as there are several dealers in firewood in the township. Accidents. - As Mr Qeorgeson, baker at Woodbury, together with his wife and child, was coming into Geraldine on Friday e r euing last with refreshments for the ball given by Mr Bowden, when near the cross road through turning rather sharply, one of the shafts broke, causing the occupauts to be thrown violently out of the trap. Mrs Georgeson was much hurt, but with assistance was conveyed to the Geraldine Hotel, where she was soon after attended to by Dr Fish, and on examination it was found that her right elbow was put out of joint and belief t wrist badly sprained. On our making enquiry yesterday we learnt that under the skilful treatment of Dr Fish Mrs Georgeson is progressing favorably. Fortunately Mr Georgeson was uninjured but the infant was slightly hurt about the mouth.— On Saturday last Mr Allan McLean, in the employ of Mr Macdonald, Geraldine, met with j. nasty accident. Ho was out riding, and got off his horse for the purpose of opening a gate, when the animal swerved round and kicked him> breaking two of bis ribs.

Messrs White and Smithson, solicitors, Timaru, have £IO,OOO to lend on mortgage. Mrs C, Bowden, Gera dins Hot*-!, requests that the sealskin bag. taken from the Oddfellows’ Hall, Geraldine, be returned. Messrs Wareing and R. H. Pearpoint trustees in the assigned es'ate of Mr A. W. Ensor, notify that all claims against the estate must be in before the 25th inst.

Messrs Coy and Drummond, drapers, Timaru, announce that they are now holding a great compulsory clearing sale for cash only. MrR. H. Pearpoint, of Geraldine, has c 1 overs and turnip seeds for sale; also, three quarter and full sized wool packs at lowest current rates. He is a cash buyer of rye gra«s seed. Mr W. G. Aspinall, solicitor for the bankrupts, notifies that Mr Thomas Hall, of Timaru, has been appointed creditors’ trustee in the bankrupt estates of T. B. Sheen and John Cunnard.

Mr A. D. Mcl’onald, of Geraldine, invites tenders for the lease of the Bush Inn, Geraldine ; also, separate tenders for the purchase of the same. Full particulars can be obtained from Mr McDonald, or Mr R. H. Pearpoint. Don’t Die in the House,Rough on Rats’ clears out rats, mice, beetles, roaches, bed-bugs, flies, ants, insects, moles, jackrabbits, gophers. Moses, Moss and Co, Sydney’, General Agents.

Messrs Maclean and Stewart, auctioneers, Timaru, under instructions from Mr S. Hatfield, will sell by public auction at the homestead Opthi, near Pleasant Point the whole of his valuable property, consisting of 116 acres freehold, the run of 200 acres splendid riverbed, and 38 acres freehold opposite the Hon T. H Wiglei’s homestead. Also, the whole of his lire and dead farm stock, etc. Messrs J. Mundell and Co , auctioneers, Geraldine, will sell on Wednesday next nt their rooms, 5i aores land adjoining theproperty of B Bailey Esq., near Jeraldine. On Saturday, 25th August, they will sell 10 i acres of land, the property of Messrs Whitaker and Wi'mot j and o i the Ist Sep tember, they will sell 25 acres of splendid bush 'and. Full particulars will be found in advertisement.

A Scolding Woman—The barbarities of the ducking-stool for the cure of scolding women, though abolished by law, are now oftentimes practised by a kind of social barbarity rone the less reprehensible. Women scold only when they are ill. Instead of blaming them wo should prescribe Hup Bitters. The entire system will undergo a genial, pleasant change The nerves will bo qu'eted and acerbity of word and thought will give place to amiability and affection. Healthy women do not scold or fret. Read