LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1142, 30 August 1883, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Suspicious.— The body of D. B. Stewart, a laborer, has been found in a hole of water twelve inches deep, face downwards, quite dead, at Dunedin. An inquest will bo held-

Hrs European Wife.— The European wife of Sydney Taiwhanga, organiser of the Maori mission to London, has been convicted of smashing the windows of a dining room when drunk.

Attempted Suicide.— A Mrs Peebles tried to hang herself in the lock up of Greymouth, by tying a handkerchief to a bar of the cell ventilator. She was purple in the face when cut down. Unpleasantness with her friends, she alleged, was the cause, and she expressed regret for what she did. She was committed for trial at the Supreme Court.

Plantation Reserves.— Our readers are again reminded that tenders for the lease of Canterbury Plantation Reserves, a list of which will bo found elsewhere, must be sent in to the Chairman of the Canterbury Plantation Board not later than te-morrow. Full particulars and forms of application, can be obtained at the various County Council offices.

Geraldine Brass Band.— We are informed that in a very short time a concert will bo held in Geraldine for the purpose of augmenting the fund for purchasing instruments for the band, Several subscriptions hare been promised, and it is to be hoped those who have done so will speedily hand over their respective amounts. The band is making rapid progress. A Failure.— An attempt was made during the past year by the shoemakers of the Eastern manufactories to bring into fashionable out of door wear a broad shoe with a short, flat heel—those preferred by our English cousins—but the venture was a failure, few people caring to see their feet appear of natnral size.

Temuka Linseed Oil. Cake and Fibre Company, Limited. A meeting of the Directors of the above Company was held on Tuesday evening last. Correspondence was read from Messrs Hayhurst, and Murphy (of Christchurch), and it was arranged that Messrs Talbot and Lyon should visit the works of the Christchurch Company at an early date and bo empowered to order further machinery should they consider it advisable.

A Determined Bride —The Auckland correspondent of the Bay of Plenty Times writes: —There was an amusing scene at a marriage in Newmarket a few days ago. At the last moment the prospective bride wanted togAin some point from her future husband, and he would not consent. At the altar the bride point blank refused to let tbe knot be tied, and the ceremony was postponed sine die. Seeing there was no other means of conciliating his loved one, the poor fellow gave way and the marriage took place on the following day.

Peanuts. —The oil now used by the Govern ment for lubricating purposes on the N.Z. railways is that obtained from the peanut. The nut is grown extensively in and imported largely into New Zealand. According to the Napier Daily Telegraph, the story goes that an enterprising firm in Auckland erected a mill for the manufacture of the oil, and then called upon the Government to use the oil for railway purposes, and thus support colonial industry. In due course the Government callod for tenders, and the contract was actually secured by ‘ a ’ cute 'Dunedin Johnny Chinaman.’ 1.0.G.T. —The usual weekly meeting of the members of tho Welcome Reatreat Lodge 1.0.G.T., Geraldine, was held on Monday evening las tin the schoolroom, tha W.C.T. (Bro W S Maslin) in the chair, and the D.W.C.T. (Bro F Bethune) in the vice chair. There was a very large attendance of mem bers. After the minutes of tha previous meeting were read and passed, eight candidates were initiated into the rigte, ceremonies and privileges of the Order. The Lodge was then closed in peace and harmony. An open Lodge meeting Vas afterwards held, when several songs were rendered by the Sisters Dunlop and Kirby, Bros Pratt, Willoughby, G. Ward, Berry, Logan, recitations by Bros Patrick and Bethune, and a harmonious reading by Bro T. Sherratt, entitled ‘ Experiences of a darkey preacher.' During the evening a plentiful supply of coffee, cakes, etc , were partaken of by those present. A very enjoyable evening was spent. A general opinion prevailed that their efforts to erect u spacious hall for their meetings had notjbeen commenced too soon.

The Canterbury Diggings. About eighty men are said to bo working on the Ninety-mile Bench, most of them averaging eight shillings a day. Fraudulent Bankruptcy At Wellington, on Monday, Win. Lingard, a wellknown brewer, was committed for trial at the Supremo Court on the first of eijifc informat ions for fraudulent bankruptcy. Sudden Death. Caleb Moore, wellknown in sporting circles, and for a short time an auctioneer in Timaru, died suddenly while walking along the Ocean Beach, Dunedin. Heart disease was the cause of death.

The Timaru Breakwater.— A telegram was received in Timaru at noon on Monday, that His Excellency the Governor had been pleased to approve lof the plans prepared by Mr Goodall for the extension of the Thrum breakwater.

Improbable.— The N. Z. Times says it is rumoured that Mr Sheehan will leave the colony at the end of the session on a professional trip to the home country, as it is alleged that he has been specially retained to prosecute certain very extensive land claims pressed by native owners against the New Zealand Government. The Oldest Apple in the World.— An apple in perfect preservation, although ninety six years old, is in the possession ot a gentleman in Ulster county, Pennsylvania. As it rounded up from the blossom of the parent stem in the early summer of 1787 a bottle was drawn over it and attached to the branch, and after the apple had ripened the stem was severed and the bottle sealed tightly. It looks as fresh as when first plucked. A Literary Prospector.— An exchange says that Mr Kelsey, of diamond fame, does not, it seems, confine his atiention to precious stones. Literary gems have also an interest for that gentleman. Ho has undertaken to make arrangements witli one of the leading London publishing houses for the production of a volume of New Zealand poems from the pen of Mr Thomas Bracken. The title of the new work is ‘ Lays of the Land of the Maori and Moa,’ and it will contain an introduction by the Bev. Rutherford Waddell, M.A , of St. Andrew’s Church, Dunedin. The book will be issued about Christmas or New Year • Horrible Cruelty. —The following paragraph is taken from a Home paper : —‘A horrible case of starving has come before the Gateshead magistrates. Win. Wells and Margaret Wells, his wife, were charged with neglecting their child Agnes, who, on February 9, was found in a room destitute of furniture. She was little else but skin and bone, and although nearly 11 years old weighed only 161bs. Since being admitted to the Union house she had gained 181 b. The woman, who is the child’s stepmother, said to the detective that she wished she had poisoned her. Mrs Wells was sent to prison for six months, and her husband for three months, each with hard labour.’

Criminal Superstition. A Gorman paper reports a case of popular superstition which would be almost incredible were it not confirmed by a judicial investigation- In the village of Schonbock, in the province of West Prussia, the little daughter of a cabinetmaker had been bed-ridden for three years. The father became persuaded that his daughter was bewitched by a woman who had given her ocosionally apples and pears. He was advised that the patient would be cured if she drank some of the blood of the supposed witch. The j.ojp woman was entrapped into visiting a place where some of the chief men of the commune were assembled to receive her. She was seized, and one of her fingers pricked with a needle, and the blood given to the sick child. The superstitious or malignant participators in this outrage were summoned before a palice magistrate, who contented himself with sentencing them to imprisonment for three clays.

His First Appearance.—A Glasgow boy had been summoned as a witness in a case before the Municipal Court. His mother took great pains in instructing him as to his behaviour, and was particularly solicitous as to his doing at once, without a moment’* hesitation, whatever he might be asked toThe hour of trial arrived, and Jock, in his “Sunday claes,” set out for Court in high spirits. He had not been gone long, when he returned sobbing bitterly. The following colloquy ensued : “ What’s wrang wi’ ye laddie ?” “ Nae muckle.” “ Ay, but what’s wrang wi’ ye?” “ Nae muckle, I tell ye.” At length his motner succeeded in eliciting the truth. ” Weol they luk me into a big room wi* a chiel wi’ a white pow [head] siltin', his lane, an’ a lot o’ mair duels sittin’ below him an’ the chiel wi’ the white pow axed me ma name. An’ I telt’ him ‘Jock McNab.” An’ be telt’ me, ‘Jock McNab, baud up your ban’ an’ sweir.’ An I put up ma ban’ an said, ‘ your een, sir;’ an’ they pub me oot.” —Glasgow limes. A Hard Case.—A Wellington telegram states that Angelique Thearasse, the prisoner whose case has been exciting so much public interest of late, was informed on Monday morning that she was at liberty to leave the gaol. The woman was arrested on a charge of stealing a dolman from a shop window in Wellington. The evidence for the prosecution was that the accused had been found with a dolman in her possession, and two witnesses were sworn for the defence. One witness deposed that he had seen the accused wearing the dolman in Christchurch, and therefore she could not have stolen it here. Upon this evidence the accused’s counsel asked for an acquittal, but the Magistrate (Mr Hardcastle) refused it, and intimated that ho intended to convict, whereupon counsel applied for a remand to obtain further evidence as to accused’s innocence. This was denied him, and the girl wag sentenced to one month’s imprisonment with hard labor. The matter was brought under tlie notice of Parliament, and the Government communicated with the persons from whom she said she bought the arMele in Christchurch, with the result that the answer bora out her statement, and thereupon the Government granted h»r a free pardon.

W— — 1 ■■ 1 111,1 . .L-'JgiSS Temperance Movement.—A conference of tbe temperance bodies of Canterbury takes place in Chris; church on Thursday next. Important matters affecting temperance legislation are coming up for consideration. Representatives are to be present from various parts of the province. The conference is to be followed by a monster demonstration in the new hall, for which 3000 tickets are issued. The Mayor of Lyttelton presides. A band of performers and a choir of 200 voises are engaged, speakers of ability are secured, and a great success is anticipated. A •pecial train is laid on for the north line. Gebaldine Park,—On taking a stroll through this romantic spot, the favourite resort of excursionists; picnic parties, and the residents of the Geraldine district during the summer months of the year,, we lately noticed that it has been dreadfully neglected. We have been informed that there is such a body in existence as the Geraldine Domain Board, and we I would earnestly urge them to be up and j doing all in their power to make the grounds a little bit decent. Should they happen to be out of funds, we see no reason why they should not make their impecuniosity known to the public, who no doubt would generously help them in keeping up the prestige of the Geraldine Park.

Mr K Sando, broker, Timaru, has 280 acres grass land on the Waitohi Flat to let. All accounts against the Orari Estate must bssent in to the trustees at once.

Messrs J Mundell and Co., auctioneers, Geraldine, will hold their monthly stock sale on Wednesday next. Mr W S Maslin, auctioneer, Geraldine, will sell household furniture and effects on Saturday next.

The Cera'dine Road Board invite tenders for a number of road works. Tenders close on September 11th. Messrs Maclean and Stewart, auctioneers, Timaru, will hold a clearing sale of live and dead stock, furniture, etc., on the property of Mr S Hatfield, Opibi, six miles from Pleasant Point, today ; also, the whole of his very valuable freehold property. Messrs Siegert and Faurel, merchants and importers, Temuka, successors to the late Mr J Mendelson, advertise elsewhere that their is the cheapest house in the district and that their stock is is of the very best description. Full particulars will be found in their advertisement.