LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1188, 20 December 1883, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tim San Fhanoisco- Maii,.— Letters and newspapers by the San Francisco mail should reach thfs district to-day. Tbmuka and Geraldine A. and P Association.— A meeting of the committee of the association takes place in the Star Hotel, Temuka, this evening, at half-past seven o’clock. A Dangerous Ford.— The Overseer to the Geraldine Road Board notifies that the ford crossing the Opihi river at the head of the Waitohi Flat is dangerous for dray traffic and tiie road line at this crossing has been temporarily stopped. Public School Entertainment. A concert will be given in the Oddfellows ’ Hall, Geraldine, for the purpose of raising funds for the purchase of prizes for the scholars of the Geraldine Public school. Several children will take part in the entertainment. Horse Fair.— The first of a series of horse fairs was field at Messrs J. Mundell and Co.’s yards, Geraldine, on Wednesday. The weather being fine a large number of farmers and others attended. As there was a large number of entries a considerable amount of business was done. Erratum. —In our report of the rale payers’ meeting of Saturday night last inserted in last Tuesday’s issue, Mr C. E. Sherratt is represented as having stated that “ rivers in New Zealand ran from north ‘to south, and yet that little work was the means of the river again encroaching on the southern end of the bridge.” The omission of the word “ preventing," after the words "the means of ” conveys quite a different meaning and should have been inserted. Infanticide. —ln Wellington on Monday afternoon the District Coroner conducted an inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of a newly-born infant, the daughter of one Kate Boyle, the discovery of which in an outhouse was reported on Saturday. The medical testimony proved that around the neck of the child there was a thick piece of rag tightly tied, with a double knot, while its mouth was tightly plugged with a piece of wet rag. The umbilical cord was not tied. The body was pale but not discolored, but the back of the head was discolored and bruised, and the skull was crushed into small pieces. The lungs had the appearance of complete inflation, and there was no doubt the child was born alive. Any of the injuries mentioned above were sufficient to have caused death. The jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against Kata Boyle.

Iwdustbiai. Exhibition at ChbistCHtTBCS. —The Industrial Association's .Ex. hibition at Christchurch was opened last Monday, and is a great success. The Volunteer Drill-shed in Cashel street forms the main hall of the building, and is devoted to work s of art, a fine organ being placed on the platform at the upper end. A temporary building of wood, iron and calico has been carried round three sides of the drill ground with a circular pavilion in the middle, making a structuro very like Joubert and Twopeny's exhibition on a smaller scale. Some 2000 persons visited it the first day. The exhibitition was formally opened by the Mayor. The exhibition though not yet in thorough order is most attractive, the number and quality of the exhibits being surprising. The building is lighted throughout with the electric light.

Spohtinq.—A well-attended meeting of the Timaru Tradesmen's Racing Club was held last Tuesday "night. It was unanimously resolved:—" That the Secretary write to Mr F. Cook, the Secretary to the Trustees of the Timaru Board, thanking him for his valuable assistance in connection with the meating." It was mooted that the Club intended extending the racing district, so as to include all between Rakaia and the Horse Eange. On account of the financial success of the Club, they will also be in a position to considerably increase the stakes at the next annual meeting. It is intended to alter the name of the Club to "Timaru Racing Club." The following are are amounts paid away :—Messrs M. and C. Hobbs £66 10s; Mr M. Sherwiu £42 15s ; Mr W. S. irraitage £lB 10s ; Mr D. Mc Intosh £l9 ; Mr W. J. Black £l4 5s ; Mr J. • Rickus £9 10s; Mr W. Moore £9 10s ; Mr J. Matthews £4lss. Total, £194 10s. Defaulting Jr/BTMBMr.—On Tuesday morning at the Supreme Court, Timaru, when the common jury panel was called there were a good many absentee?, and in each case a fine of £2 was imposed, to be remitted if sufficient excuse were shown. In addition to the absent jurymen Constable Morton (of Terauka) was also behind time, and ho urged the excuse that he met with an accident, a fall from a horse, on the previous Fridiy, which incapacitated him from riding, and he was obliged to go in by train. His Honor accepted the *xcuie. Most of the -juror 9 presented themselves during the morning, and, showing cause, had their fines remitted. Some excused themselves by pointing out that their summonses demanded their attendance it 11, not 10 a.m., and though they had become aware of the adjournment from Monday to Tuesday, they did not know tho hour had been changed, as although it had been notified in the Timaru Herald they did not take that paper. Of one absentee Constable Morton suggested that be might have stayed at Temuka to obey a summons requiringhis appearance at the R.M. Court that day. His Honor replied that when a person was summoned to attend both Courts he must attend the Supreme Court, and get himself excused at the other.

; The weather being some what more settled than it has been of late, haymaking has now become general in the Geraldine district., . ; Geraldine School. Committee. A meeting of ( the members of the Committee was held lasi evening, a report of which will appear in our, next issue. ■ The Disease Among the Rabbits.— Rabbits quite close to Dunedin have now been found affected by tuberculosis, which thus appears to bo spreading through the province. Temuka Boxing-day Concert.—Ladies and gentlemen who are to take part in the above concert are reminded that the final rehearsal takes place this evening in the Oddfellows’ Hall, A Magisterial Opinion.—At the Sydney Central Police Court the proprietor of Bass’ Hotel was summoned for allowing gaming on his licensed premises, A Club rents a room and carries on sweeps. The magistrates expressed their opinion that sweeps should be legalised, and fined the defendant in a nominal amount. Ball at Geraldine.—The date of the ball announced in our advertising columns to take place on New Year’s Eve has been altered to New Year’s Night. The promoters of the ball have secured the able services of Mr H. Parker as M.C,, and nothing will be spared to render the ball a pronounced success.

Stabtlino.—A Dunedin telegram reports that Queenstown was very nearly' the scene of a duel during the present week, a well* known representative of the Fourth Estate having received a challenge fro® a member of the Hebrew persuasion to a deadly encounter witli either pistols or broadswords, but the invitation was respectfully declined. Old Identities. —Two old identities of Auckland are dead, both being local celebrities in their way. They are Bichard Grigg, the Police Court poet, who has attended the Police Court proceedings for thirty yeairs, and Archibald WiUon, known as “Miser* * Wilson, who is said to have left a large fortune behind him. Both men were four score, and had been in the province since 1840. Thb Pbopbeti Tax. -The amount, of property tax paid throughout the colony up to Saturday night amounted' to £245,000, which is within £5,000 of the Treasurer’s estimate. Several large cheques were paid in on Saturday, one amounting to £9OOO. Opwards of £IO,OOO of property tax was paid i in on Tuesday. Bemittanoes not bearing th oA post-mark of the 15th instant will be charged! with the 10 per cent penalty, and immediate summons will be issued for all arrears. Cbickbt. —The local team to represent the Geraldine Cricket Club in to-morrow’ii match with the Christchurch College Club, will be tfhosen from the followingMessni Pearpoint (captain), Hughes, P. Fish, F. Bethune, Templar, Moore, lemple, Cox, G. Ward, Ogilvie, Brisco, Macdonald and Lodge. The Christchurch College team will be captained by Mr Arthur S. Cox, We hear t hat the Geraldine Club’s Secretary on Tuesday last received a telegram from the Ashburton County Club, asking (he former to play a match at Ashburton yesterday, but owing to the shortness of the notice it had to be declined.

Accident.— Yesterday afternoon as Mr and Mrs B. Bailey, of Woodbury, wore driving along the main road, Geraldine, the horse suddenly shied when opposite the Bank of New Zealand, throwing Mr Bailey out of the trap, who alighted on his head, on the hard road. Fortunately he had a very stiff bat on, to which circumstance may be attributed his being saved from perhaps a fatal or very serious accident. He was taken into Messrs Tasker and Go’s shop, and Mr Cook, chemist, dressed a wound on his head of about (wo and a half inches in length The horse ran into Mr Cook’s yard, coming into contact with the corner of the house, and was secured by Mr Boultbee. Mrs Bailey very pluckily kept her seat and sustained no “'jury. Supreme Couet.— At the Supremo Court, Timaru, on Tuesday last, the N.Z.L. tmd M. A. Co., sued Stephen Wheeler, of Wuimate, for L 1270 6s 3d for advances made to defendant on Lis crops last season. The jury brought in a verdict of L 1267 Is Id liy consent, subject to points of law being decided. His Honor will give judgment later on in the session. J. MoLeish sued Wildie, Allan and Stumbles for 167314 s 4d,and defendants made a counter claim of L 1079 5s sd. This was a case calling for investigation of accounts merely, and it was agreed that they be referred to the Registrar, judgment to bo ■ entered for the amount found by him. The defendants admit the plaintiff’s clair.o, but themselves claim the larger sum. David Evans c’aimed L2OO damages from A Crawford for malicious posecution, Defendant had five or six fowls stolen and took out a search warrant, and had the plaintiff’s premises searched for the missing birds, which were not found there. Plaintiff averred that defendant’s action had done his character considerable damage and claimed substantial damaires as a solatium. A verdict for plaintiff for L 76 damages was returned. Mr Joynt applied for and His Honor granted leave to more to enter a nensuit at the next sitting in Banco at Christchurch. Yesterday the case of Garrick and Cowlishaw v. N. and W. Quinn was heard. Plaintiffs alleged that they purchased certain land at “ The Brothers ” (being R.S. 28,940 and 31,446, of 200 and 136 acres respectively) from defendants ; the negotiations having been conducted by Mr J. Granger, as agent for defendants. The defendants on their part repudiated the alleged agencyof Mr Granger in the matter. The evidence for th o Pontiffs showed that the land was p'ocod in the hands of Mr James Granger for sa l° a t £3 8s per acre, and subsequently > n a conversation with Mr Granger consented to take £3 6s per acre, at which price the land was sold. The defendants on their part contended that; Mr Granger bad not been authorised to sell but to *• offer ’’ the Isnd that price. U.timate'y the case was adjourned by His Honor for hearing in GhiUtchureh, the hearing to he on the J udge’s notes and exhibits.

'.V"DiUK oi AN m.H.R.*C-Mr B. J. Lee, M.HVR. for Selwyii, who has been ill for iome time, died on Qjueeday morning. 1.0.0. F. Sports, Tbmuka.— Entries lor the handicap rices must be made with the Secretary, Mr Wm. Uprichard, tomorrow (Friday).^ The Recent Presbvtbbian Gift Arc Sion. - -IV® hare jto record that the sale of goods on Monday last, at Geraldine, by Messrs J. Mundell and Co., resulted in a handsome sum Wing realised and added to the funds of the church. Shook op Earthquake.—A slight shock of earthquake was felt in this district about one o’clock on Tuesday last. Telegrams from Westport, Hokitika, Greymoutb, Dunedin, Balclutha, Invercargill, Bluff and other districts show that it was also felt in those places. Meeting at Pleasant Valley. —ln compliance with a numerously signed requisition, a meeting of ratepayers in Pleasant Valley, convened by the Chairman of the Geraldine Road Board, took place in the schoolroom last evening, to consider the proposed alteration in the present mail serrice. A full report of the meeting will bo given in our next issue. Railway Rates.— A deputation of the Committee of the Christchurch Chamber of Commerce waited on the Hon. Mr Mitchelson, Minister of Public Works, in reference to the charges made for the carriage of goods on the Canterbury line, on Monday last. Messrs Back and Maxwell, officers of the Railway Department, were also present. In the course of the debate the rates charged between Christchurch and Timaru and Lyttelton and the ■ame place were discussed. The rates from Christchurch to Timaru is 445, from Lyttelton to Timaru 18s, and from Christchurch to Lyttelton 5s 6d. It was sug- . gested that merchants should be allowed to send their goods to Timaru via Lyttelton, rebooking at the latter place, and it was urged “that the department would not lose by that,” but to this Mr Maxwell did not assent. Mr Maxwell said that the whole question was whether the railways were to be remunerative or unremunerative. Were they going to make them pay or not? Having decided that, they could fix the rates. He did not say | that the scale was incapable of iraprovef. ment, but they could not make the rates one place the same as those at another, •nd disregard local conditions. After some further discussion the Hon. Mr .Mitchelson promised to carefully consider what they had placed before him, and the deputation withdrew. Temtjka Brass Band Concert.-THo 5 concert held in atd of the funds for a „ uniform for the above band was held last

Tuesday evening in the Volunteer Hall, and passed off very successfully so far as the music and singing was concerned. The attendance, however, was not large. The performance opened with a selection by the band which was played in capital style, and Mr Hamann of Geraldine played an overture on the piano with considerable ability. He also accompanied some of the singers, and Mr Meager accompanied the others very efficiently, Mr Edmonds sang “Jack’s Reward” and “The Yeoman’s Wedding ” in his usual style. Mias Marshall sang “0, Give to Me ” and “ Robin Adair ” —one of the most exquisite melodies ever sung and did justice to both. The quartettes “Stars of the Summer Right ” and “Yon Stole My Love ” were sung by Misses McNair and Marshall and Messrs Edmonds and Rutland, excellently. Mr Wiltshire made his debut before a Temuka audience and proved himself to be possessed of a very fine voice. He sang ‘•Jack’s Yarn ’’and “ Scotland Yet.” Miss

Ladbrook was loudly encored, for her singing, and responded by singing "Ye Banks and Braes." She is a great acquisition to the musical talent of Temuka. Mr Pilbrow was encored for t l, e singing of "An Englishman," and Mr Rutland sang " W"a Ti.rs' well, the chorus being capital. " Vadasi viadiqua" by Messrs Rutland, • Pilbrow and Edmonds passed off splendidly, and the whole performance wound up with "God Save the Queen." ~. Thb Chbistchubch Unemployed.—An Auckland telegram says:—" It is probable that a considerable proportion of the Christ-, oburch unemployed will be drafted to Auckland. The Mayor has receiveJ a telegram from the Minister for Public Works, enquiring what demand there was fdr labor here. On behalf; of,the Mayor the Town Clerk telegraphed back tbat there is a good demand for pick-and-shovel men, bricklayers, and bricklayers'laborer.', engineers, and carpenters. Pick and-shovelmen, however, are most 'needed." On Tuesday morning about 100 of the unemployed gathered in front of the . Christcburch Immigration Office. The Com-. " roittee appointed by them were received by Mr March, who informed them Government was

prepared to put on *nen cleaning fences and ,- ..plantations on the railway b'nes. Some work *" 'would also be provided in Addington railway [ ' yards and the domain. In all cases 4s 6d per day would be paijd and free passes given on the railway where; necessary. Any jobs that were taken on piecework would bo paid or at such a rata as to W*ble ordinary work-

- men to obtain 4s 6d pi>r day. The Committee withdrew and rejoinM their companions outside. On the resulit being communicated, • ■ some of those present iroaned and manifested their disapproval in Xtlier ways. Only 15 • of the men accepted itbe terms offered. A meeting of the unemployed was held in the ;■' . afternoon, and it was 'decided to refuse the Government offer of 4s 6d per day, and to agitate for 6s per day. The meeting also objncted to the work being offered through Mr March, who is the charitable aid officer for tha cliitriot.

Grbaldinb Bklss The admirablo manner in which the members of acquitted themselvrf on Monday last, at the Presbyterian Picniclpas mam commented upon, and a subscription , was started on the ground in the evening for the purpose of assisting them to purchase music, &c. We hear tb&t an order will be forwarded to San Francisco by mail for a selection o|j|be most popular music of the day. The Jefaldine Brass Band is now one of our local institutions and we trust it may long continue to enliven the dull monotony of our every day life. New Fibm. — Messrs Mogridge and Wiltshire’s advertisement appears in an ther' column. Attracted no doubt by the fact that Temuka has got its nan% up as an enterprising place which had started two or three important industries, and also that it is centred in the heart of the best agricultural country in Now Zea’and, they have cast their lot amongst us, and wo sincerely trust they will not regret it. We should all be glad to see more shops, and new firms start in Temuka, for it is bound to remain as it is unless we find men enterprising enough to undertake to compete with the old identities. Mr Miles a short time ago had the energy to do this, and the result is ex* traordinary success. Good value and reasonable prices, the absence of which had hitherto been the great cause of complaint, attracted numerous customers to Mr Miles’s shop, and a great deal of the money which had previously been going to Timaru was kept in the town. We have been frequently told that goods could be bought there cheaper than in Timaru. Messrs Mogridge and Wiltshire come as a further addition to the a cilities people have of buying their goods in Temuka, and it is not likely that their prices will be higher than in the neighboring establishment; They may probably be the cause of keeping a great many more people from taking their money to Timaru, and we trust they will. We cannot understand why people choose to spend their money elsewhere while they can get as good value from their own neighbors, but they do it. We have found in our case people sending an order for printing elsewhere while we could do it cheaper., We know that 15i and carriage from Christchurch was recently paid for a job' that could be printed at the office of this paper for 14s. These things are frequently done through thoughtlessness, it is a great pity, for money sent out like this never returns and tends to impoverish the place. For instance, if the proprietor of this paper were deriving a larger revenue from it he would be able to improve it and employ more hands, and so with the storekeepers. These extra hands will help to increase the population, must have food, houseroom and clothing, and spend the money they earn no (hem. Thus the money is kept in the place. It may be said that farmers have no such interests. Let them compare the price of land near Timaru with the price of land near Temuka, and ask what makes one dearer than he other. Simply it is nearer a larger town. If Temuka were as large as Timaru land i& its vicinity would be just as dear. Is it not therefore the interest of farmers to try to push ahead the town nearest to them when its prosperity tends to add to the value of their property. We think so, and we trust people will open their eyes to those facts. Messis Mogridge and Wiltshire are the latest candidates for public patronage, and we trust that instead of spending their money elsewhere people will give them such support as will enable them to bless the day they put their faith in Temuka.

Mr K. F. Gray, auctioneer, Tetnukn, ■will hold his monthly sale of stock to morrow. He will receive entries to date of sale. Messrs Maslin and Sherratfc will hold a sale of freehold land, farm dray, filter, and other agricultural requisites on Saturday next at 1 p.m. at their auction rooms,' Geraldine.