LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1122, 5 January 1884, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Outgoing Mail.—The outward mails for the Old Country, via San\Francisco, 'will c'ose at the Post-office, Geraldine, at 2.30 p.m., and at Temuka at 3 p.m. to-day. The Temuka Beidoe. Among the tenders called for in our last issue, to be considered at next meeting of the Temuka Road Board, was one for re-decking tbo Temuka bridge. This is now withdrawn. Evangelistic Sebtices at Q-kbaldimk. ' -—Mr W. B. Hayes will to morrow commence a series of Evangelistic S»rvices in the Good Templars' Hall, Geraldine. That in the evening will be specially devoted to young persons.

Challenge.—Donald Dinnie, being digsatisfied with the decision at the Caledonian Sports, in Dunedin, on Tuesday, when he was only given second place for dancing the Highland Fling, challenges any man in New Zealand to dance the Highland Fling with him for £IOO a side.

Soibee and Concebt.—The annual soiree an J conceit in connection with the Temuka Presbyterian Church comes off in the Volunteer Hall next Wednesday uight. These soiret:-s are always a success and doubtlesi this will prove no exception. Visitors can rely on get'ing a good tea and hearinga[good music by attending.

Woodyear's Circus. Woodyear's [ Electric Circus, and Equesquericulem, as I the advertisement expressively has it, is announced to appear in Temuka next Wednesday night, and at Geraldine on Thursday. Those of our readers who attended last time, in spite of the weather, will, doubtless, be glad to go agaiD, and those whu did not attend are sure to take . advantage of this opportunity. In Temuka a full change of programme is jt announced. Everything connected with the show is good of its kind, and therefore it would be useless to particularis Q . As Mr Woodyear intends leaving the colony, this will be the last oppportunity of witnessing the circus, and it is almost certaia to be taken advantage of. . >^^4

I.O.O.F.—The installation of the newly elected officers of the Loyal Victoria Lodge 1.0.0. F., for the ensuing term took place in their hall, Geraldine, laßt evening. A full report of tbe proceedings will be given in our next issue.

Th* Chops.—The crops in and around the (ieraldine district are now generally showing. the ear, but owing to the prevalence of rain, in lone instances, rust is beginning to show itself. If steady, fine weather does not soon ■at in, there will be a poor look out for the haryest of 1884. Thb Goykbnob.—His Excellency the GoTernor, accompanied by Major Eccles, A.D.C., left Wellington for Lyttelton in the Hinemoa at 3.30 on Thursday afternoon. Lady JerTois will, it is expected, leave on the 19th insfc., and join Sir William at the Bluff, from Whence they will visit the West Coast Sounds. Thb Wbatheb. —After a few days fine weather at G-eraldine, it suddenly changed •gain for the worse on Wednesday evening last, and a very heavy rain fell during the night. On Thursday morning it cleared up> but during the afternoon it became squally, and a regular downpour of rain ensued. On both days and nights it wsi quite wintry, and the mountains were again covered with snow. Thb N.Z.S. Co's Line.—The New Zealand Shipping Company have received cable advices that the British Queen left Plymouth •n the 29th December for Wellington and Lyttelton with immigrants. The Aorangi for Wellington, and Doric for Auckland, will probably come direct from Teneriffe. The third new steamer, the Kuapehu, has arrived in London from the Clyde, and will be despatched to Auckland about the 10th January, The clipper ship Eakaia left Lendon for Lyttletod on December 23rd. Thb Customs. The customs revenue collected last month in the colony (with the •xception of Tauranga) amounts to £102,789 12s lOd. The sum collected for the corresponding month last year was £113,290 7« 2d. The receipts for the quarter just ended are below the average required to make up the estimated amount for tbe year. It is expected that the falling off will be pulled up next quarter, which is usually the best quarter of the year. The amount collected at TauraDga averages about £3OO per month. The beer revenue for December last amounted to £6478 5s 7d, in December last year it was £7070 9s Id. Cocoahuts as A Diet.—The Fiji Times, in a recent article, calls attention to the immense utility of the cocanutas food ration?, and the valuable qualities which it has for •ustaining nutrition. The following instance is given in the case of a vessel that once left San Franciseo with 400 passengers for Sydney, which, in consequence of running abort of stores, had to put in at Samoa, where a large quantity of cocoanuts were obtained. During the remainder of the passage very heavy weather was encountered, in which the ▼essel became waterlogged, and only reached Sydney after a perilous journey of 80 days, during which time all the provisions ran short> and men, women and children were fed only upon cocoanuts, being at last reduced to one per diem for each adult. Notwithstanding %he diet not a life was lost, and not a single ease of sickness occurred.

Stjbvey ov the King Countbt. An Auckland telegram states that Mr Cousin's ■urvej party is busily engaged on the triangulation surrey of the King Country. On Starting, when they reached Punui river, the first and most probably only interference they will meet with was presented. A number of Maoris, men and women, collected on the bank of the river. The women commenced by getting hold of one or two of the surrey party's swags and throwing them into the mer, the men standing by and laughing while the women continued the struggle for a few minutes. The surrey party, howerer, got ■afely across, and recorered the swags first thrown in, and proceeded to Kakapuki, where they camped, and subsequently re-erected the first trig station. Frank Edgmond started with his survey party for Tuhu yesterday. The Triumph.—The Triumph floated off the Tiritiri rocks at high water on Thursday last. All that had been done to her prior to floating was to remove heavy cargo and aoal, to stop all leaks in the aft of the fore compartment, aud pump her out, the pumps fixed being equal to 500 tons per hour. The gile rising, her hawsers parted, and at one time it was feared she would drift on to Shearer Rock. Men were werking up to the waist in water in the stoke hole, and owing to the list of the vessel, it was difficult to pump her. At one time fears were entertamed fcr the lives of all on board, but Fisher, engineer of the Triumph, dived to the door of compartment No. 2, and let water in to it, which rendered the vessel more stable. The Triumph at last got to the lee of Tiritiri, where desperate efforts were made to keep the water under till the steam tugs signalled for arrived, and steps could be taken to reduce the water in the stoke hole, which threatened to put out the fires. On the tug steamers arriving the worst was over. Pkbi. Fobbst TJnitkd Sunday School Tbeat. —The above treat was held on New Year's Day in a paddock at Scotsburn kindly lent by Mr A. J. Hawdon. The children, tinder the management of Messrs F. Newman G. 0. Jenkins, J. Watters and Mesdames Dennistoun and Newman met at about noon on the grounds. Refreshments were then handed round by Mesdames Aciand, Dennistoun' Newman and others. After the children had done amp'e justice to the good things provided by Messrs James Williams and Son (of Geraldine), in their well known style, the children attending the Sunday Schools were then handed the prizes they had gained during the last year, consisting of a very handtome lot of books. Games, of all kinds for prizes were gone through, in which Messrs Dennistonn, Hawdon, Barker, Newman, and other gentlemen kindlv assisted. These were kept up until about 7 o'c'ock, when a room in an empty house belonging to Mr Hawduu was cleared for a dance, which was kept up lintill2 o'clock, when they separated, having

Ashburton Branch Railway. —Mr Charles Napier Bell, who is appointed Commissioner to eDqnire into the best route for the extension of the Ashburton branch railway, is requested to report within thirty days from Jan. 2.

Cricket. The Tasmanian cricketers have arranged their tour which commences at Invercargill at the end of the present month. The Australian eleven cannot visit New Zealand until their return from England.

Mb Goodall and Napibb Habbob. — Mr Goodall (of Timaru), who is now engaged by the Harbor Board to design the harbor, has discovered that the source of the travelling shingle is not the rivers running into the Bay, but that it comes from cliffs leading towards Cape Kidnappers. In Tbottblb. —At a meeting of the creditors of George E. West in Dunedin yesterday, he Btated that his losses since 1879 amounted to £4163 Is. His assets were £7316 and liabilities £4674. A deed of arrangement was agreed to, West to be allowed time to make an offer. Twelve declarations of insolvency were filed during the holidays in the same place, including Henry Scott, publican,"with debts £4636 and assets £4960.

St. Saviour's Church Picnic—A picnic in connection with the above church wai held yeaterday. The members of the Choir and the Sunday School teaohers, to the number of above 40, met at the church shortly after 9 a.m., and proceeded in vehicles to the Geraldine Bush. There they enjoyed themselves in various ways during the day, and shortly after 5 o'clock left for home, which they reached before 7 o'clock, all elated with the day's amusement.

School Treat at Hilton.—This treat was held at Hilton on Wednesday, Jan, 2nd, an earlier date than usual, to enable friends to be present who otherwise might be prevented byjharvest operations. After tea and sports the prizes were distributed aa follows :—Standard VI, Alice Meredith ; Standard V, Bridget Earl and Jane Tindall; Standard IV, Constance Drake and Mary Buckley ; Standard 111, Emily Bradley and Chas. Meredith; Standard 11, Arthur Rooke and Mary Bradley ; Standard I, William Hide and Agnes Russell. Below the Standards, Elizabeth Beattie, John Earl, Paul Bradley and James Guerio. For regular attendance, Jas Brien, Annie Bradley and Daniel Brien. Good conduct prizes, awarded by the children, Charles Meredith and Bridget Earl. Some of the company remained till a late hour and spent a pleasant evening, which was enlivened by singing and dsncing.

Difficulties of an Editok.—There are few positions more difficult to fill than that of an editor. It I*3 not our inte»tion to enter into a dissertation on this poinf. We shall only give a recent instance of it. When tho Band appeared in uniform last Boxing Day, we, as a matter of course, noticed it and gave Mr H. T. Clinch, who had the contract for making the uniforms, a few words of praise. It is only usual to do so. Every paper in the world that notices a new building, a new bridge, or any work done, always notices the contractor. We therefore only followed the usual rule in mentioning that Mr Clinch had made the uniforms, but evidently Mr W. Storey thought we did him an injustice by doing so. A notice appeared next day in the Timaru Herald to.the •ffect that Mr Storey's letter, referring to matter published in another journal, would not be inserted, and from this it was generally concluded that Mr Storey wanted to show us up for having mentioned that the uniforms were well made by Mr Clinch. It was very unkind of the Herald not to publish Mr Storey's letter, as lie has been a pretty good advertiser in that paper, but it is the Herald's way, it delights in snubbing it patrons. Mr Storey has given that paper all his advertising—Mr Clicch has been advertising in this paper only. Mr Storey has been spending his money in Timaru and thus forfeiting his right to local support— Mr Clinch is patronising local institutions, and thus entitling himself to the support of the people who have an interest in this town. Let the result of their own work tell them who is doing best. We have on all occasions done our best to persuade people to Bpend their money locally, but Mr Storey, whose interest it is that our suggestions should be carried out, set the community a bad example by spending in Timaru the money for which lie could get better value in Temuka. The Temuka tradesmen who set such a bad example as this, when the curs* of the place is that its money is going to Timaru, do not deserve local support. And it is not because we have ever done wrong to Mr Storey that he sends his advertisements away. We defy him to point out one instance in which we did him personal wrong, and if he can do so our columns are open to him. But this is not all. Mr Storey has ordered us to stop sending him this paper on account of this matter. Mr Clinch on learning that we had sustained this loss though him, has, however, resolved upon taking the paper, so that our loss ia nil. But, notwithstanding that we lose nothing, we cannot help feeling annoyed at finding that there are Buch jealous, envious people in our midst, that we cannot give honor to whom it is due without offending others. It is h«rd to steer clear of the iocks and shoals in a community where , ett?Jb people live.

The Sabah W. Hunt's Cbew.—The six nfen who were found by the Stella on Campbell Island, and who were brought on to Dunedin are at present in the Dunedin Hospital. It was intended to have brought them on to Ljitelton in the Stella on Thursday, but the steamer's stay at Dunedin was too short to admit of this being done. The men, all young, were in a deplorable physical condition when they werejtaken off the island, and are still suffering from the privations they underwent. They are reported to be an altogether better sort of young fellows, and state that previous to shipping on the schooner they had no nautical experience whatever. They are most reticent in respect to how they came to undertake a sealing voyage ; but from what could be gathered from the relunctant statements made to those who who have questioned them, they are very unwilling to re-join the vessel. Some of them stoutly affirm that they were unaware of the nature of the voyage they had set out upon, and were unprepared for the sort of treatment they allege having been subjected to. The substance of their complaints, it is said, will be made a matter for holding an inquiry into upon their arrival in Lyttelton. —•Presss.

Timabu Habbob Boabd. A special meeting of the Timaru Harbor Board was held last Thursday. Mr Guthrie wrote, offering the Board two 130-ton lighters, but as these were too large the offer was not entertained. It was decided that the Chairman should see if the lighters could not be made in the colony. The report of the Harbor Master in reference to the depth of the harbor was read. It was as follows:—"As instructed, I beg to hand you report concerning the loading of the ship Waimate at this port in September last, as this appears to be the vessel referred to in the letter from Messrs Woollcombe and Clulee to the Timaru Harbor Board. Firstly—there has been no deposit of shingle discovered in the harbor or any alteration in the depth of water where large vessels load, since my appointment here in August last. Secondly —The stevedore stowed tbe cargo of the Waimate to the satisfaction of the captain ; and the yessel was not loaded deeper than allowed by Lloyd's rules or the rules of other marine insurance associations. Thirdly—The vessel completed loading on neap tides, when there is not less than 20ft of water in the berth. At previous low water (3 p.m.) on the 11th Sept., the Waimate was drawing 16ft aft and 17ft forward, with 20ft of water aft and 21ft of water forward. She was loaded up on the rising tide (the rise of water being 6ft) and left before quarter ebb, which, allowing at least 3ft 6in from low water, will give 23ft 6in of water at the stern and 24ft 6in of water at the bows of the ship ; the ship's draught on leaving being 18ft 6in even keel. I have received a letter from Captain B/Ussell, in reply, stating he has not reported on the Timaru Harbor for years ; also, that the Equitable Insurance Association are not his employers. As he had no communication with them whatever, I therefore tendered him an apology for mentioning his name in the matter. I shall also request, as the appointed Surveyor of the Canterbury Marine Underwriters Association, to have matters regarding the loading of ships at this port submitted to me for explanation before troubling the Harbor Board with unnecessary communications." The Chairman said he had written tke following letter to Messrs Woollcombe and Clulee :—" I enclose reply from the Harbor Master re enquiries from the Insurance Company you represent. It would be desirable in future for your Company, if they have any cause for complaint or enquiry? to have a sounder basis than the present' which has been the cause of an unfortunate and quite unnecessary misunderstanding." The manager of the Landing Service, reported that tbe repairs to the surf-boat ways, authorised by the Board, hrd been conapletedi end that the ways which had been repaired were now stronger than ever they were. He had shipped during the month 1789 tons, the .gross earnings being £297 6i 4d, and the net £9B 13s Bd. Mr John Hamilton, the clerk of the works, in the absence of Mr Goodall, the Engineer reported that not much progress had been made on the present breakwater extension contract during the month owing to bad weather and the holidays. Forty eight feet of foundation bloeks were now completed, and would be capped with monoliths as soon as possible. It was carried unanimously—- " That the Board is of opinion that the inequalities and drawbacks on marine insurance which are now in existence at this port should be removed, and the export of the district placed upon tb« same terms as other ports."