LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1131, 26 January 1884, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Opera Class. — A meeting of those interested in the formation of an opera class in Temuka is convened for Monday evening next, in the Wallingford Hotel, at 8 o’clock.

Primitive Methodist Church, GeralDINE. —To-morrow the Rev H. Clark, who has been appointed to the Primitive Methodist Church at Q-eraldine, will preach his first sermons, at the usual hours, morning and evening. Geraldine School Committee.— The last meeting of the present committee was held last evening, when the Chairman submitted the report and balance sheet for tha past year. A full report will appear in our next issue.

Nationalisation op the Land.— Mr, John Ollivier lectured in Christchurch on Tuesday evening in the Oddfellows’ Hall in favor of nationalisation of the land. There was a large meeting, and the feeling was evidently with the lecturer, who was awarded a hearty rote of thanks. The Osborne Reaper and Binder.— A trial of the above machine will he held in a paddock belonging to Mr John Paterson, at Winchester, to-day, at about 10 a.m. It is claimed for this machine that it is the best in the market, and that it will become popular before the end of the season.

Masonic Funeral Service.— As a fitting conclusion to the recent funeral obsequies of the late Mr J. Heney, Bro the Rev G. Barclay, P.M. and chaplain of the Southern Star, 619 S.C., will preach a sermon in the Presbyterian Church, Geraldine, tomorrow morning, at eleven a.m. The Brethren are requested to assemble at the hall at ten a.m. Mourning regalia. Grain Calculator. —We have received Mr J. H. Walker’s Grain Calculator, and must say it does him infinite - credit, It gives the excact weight per bushel of all cereals, and the number of bushels in any number of bags, from 1 bag up to 5000 bags. Anybody having anything to do with grain ought to get one. It would be invaluable to them. It is to be had from Mr C. Reid, Temuka.

Improvements in Geraldine.—Notwithstanding the fact that business for some months past has looked anything but bright, yet, sundry improvements in the building line have been going on. The contractors for the new Bank of New Zealand are proceeding with their work as steadily as possible and in a very short time will show a very substantial and ornamental building. The additions to the Bush Hotel have also been in hand some little while, but now the roof is completed, and sufficient work has been done to show to what extent the improvements will be. Mr A, Gibson’s shop and premises are completed, and he opens to-day with a largo and varied assortment of jewellery, plated and fancy goods, etc,, and invites an early inspection. We also hear that the erection of two or three other buildings are in contemplation.

The Colonial Bank. The half yearly report of the Colonial Bank shows that the net profits are £16,244 4s lOd. The amount available for disposal is £17,497 14s, which is recommended to be applied as follows Payment of dividend at 7 per cent, £14,000 ; to reserve fund, £1000; and balance carried forward, £2497 14s. Direct Steam. — The New Zealand Shipping; Company have received the following cable from London :—“ Tongariro arrived at Janerio, all well, on 21*t instant at 3 a.m., and sailed again the same day. The refrigerator was working satisfactorily, and the meat was in prime condition.” The run to Rio J anerio is thus the fastest on record, having occupied only 20 days 7 hours. : Geraldine Literary Institute,— The annual general meeting of the members will be held in the Institute on Thursday evening next, 31st inst., at 7.30 p.m. A full meeting is requested, as matters of importance will be brought forward. It is a great pity that the Institute is not better supported, as the Committee are doing their utmost to render it a popular resort, and the more especially as a large order for new books is on its way to England. Copper Company. The first general meeting of the Champion Copper Company was held in Nelson last Wednesday night* The prospectus provided for 60,000 shares, 50,462 were taken up by 254 persons. It was decided to hold the remaining shares in trust for the Company. At the meetirg two pieces of smelted copper from the mine were exhibited. 13ilbs of native copper was taken from the lode and smelted in the local foundry, and after being melted twice, the copper from the mould weighed 12flbs. It is proposed to send the specimen to the Christchurch Exhibition. The State Schools.— At the Presbyterian Synod last Wednesday night, Mr Fitzgerald Rector of the Normal School, drew attention to a statement by the Rev. Mr Stevens, that the majority of State school teachers sneered at the Bible. He had carefully gone over the list of teachers, and although one or two take a prominent position in opposition to Christianity, for every one such he could name ten equally prominent workers whilst he.could name fifty who were' quietly doing their duty as Christians. Mr Stevens however, maintained his statement. Th* moderator pointed out that the Synod was m no wise responsible for Mr Stevens’ view. Bowling Match.— The bowling match Victoria v. New Zealand came off in Dunedin on Wednesday last. The game was not made 9.1 up, but continued right on for two hours and a half, as in the Victorian practice. In rink No, 1, New Zealand scored 32, and Victoria 22 ; in rink No. 2, New Zealand scored 26, and Victoria 20 ; in rink No. 3, New Zealand scored 28, and Victoria 18 ; in rink No. 4, New Zealand scored 13, and Victoria 30. The visitors were thus the winners in only one rink, but in that by so many points as very nearly to balance the other three, the total scores being New Zealand 99, Victoria 90. District Licensing Committees.— Ths Returning Officer, Mr F. W. Stubbs, publishes in another column particulars re the nomination and election of Licensing Committees for the Temuka and Geraldine Licensing Districts. Nominations of candidate* must be made (in form prescribed by the Act, which can be obtained at the R.M. Court in each place) before noon on Friday Ist February. A poll, if necessary, will take place on the 6th February. The newly elected committees will meet the same evening after the householders’ meetings are over for the election of chairmen and other introductory business.

School Committee Election. The annual public meeting of householders for the election of School Committees and receiy* ing annual report in every school district in South Canterbury takes place on Monday evening next at 7 o’clock, at the schoolhouso, where such are erected. The only exceptions are Belfield, where the meeting will be held at the house of Mr Newport; Kakahu Bush, where the meeting takes place at the house of Messrs Wniker and McDougall- and Waihoa Forks, where the meeting ’take* place at the Waihoa Hotel. G ekaldine Daiey Factoey.— The shareholders in this Company will no doubt bo pleased to hear that a start in the right direction has at last been made. Tenders for the erection of the Factory having been called for three were received, and at a meeting of tho Directors held on Wednesday ever ing last they were brought forward for consideration, resulting m that of R. B. Sibly (of Timarn) for £945 being accepted. The other tenderers were Henderson, £IO4O 16s; and McGill, £IOSO. Work will be commenced on tho ground on Monday next and the contract is to be completed in 16 weeks. The site is most juLciously chosen, being on tha Pleasant Yallev road near Mr J. Connelly’s farm. The Directors have also purchased the machinery on most favourable terms, and it will arrive in Geraldine next week. We have been informed that the amount for calls are coming in well, and with judicious management there is every prospect of tha undertaking being a great financial success. Funeeal of the Date Me John He set. —The funeral of the late Mr John Henej took place at Geraldine last Thursday, It was one of the largest ever witnessed in the district. Shortly after" 1 S: m, r “ ember 3of the Southern btar Lodge of Freemasons assembled in their hall, together with the brethren of tha Winchester Lodge and the Aroha Lodge. The St. John’s and Caledonian 1 edges, at Timarn, as well as those at Patea, in the North Island, Dunedin, and Invercargill, were well represented. They then marched dressed in their regalia draped in black, along the line of road to meet the funera’ cortege. After wending their way a little beyond tha residence of Mr Cunningham, they met tha funeral on its way from Peel Forest to Geraldine, and a procession was re formed in the following order :-Two Tylers, with drawn swords; brethren of the Southern Star Lodge, No. 619, S.C. ; brethren of the Winchester, Aroha, and Temuka Lodge*; visiting brethren; brethren of the Southern Star Lodge ; Bro. R. S. Cook, marshall, and Bro. Willoughby, assistant marshall the coffin, con'aining the remains of the deceased (with the Masonic pall-bearers on either side) on which was a handsome floral wreath of white Jillies and the Masonic apron worn by him borne in a wagonette ; the relations of tho deceased. Then followed the personal friends of deceased in twenty-eight carriages and fifty-four on horseback. At the cemetery gates the Freemasons filed out in open order to allow tho coffin and relatives to pass between them into the cemetery, and on arrival at the grave they formed a circle around tho spot where the remains of their deceased brother were to be deposited. The Rev. G. Barclay, Presbyterian minister, road tho burial service, after which he, in a most impressive manner, read the Masonic service, and the last rites having been performed each ono took a last farewell and deposited sprigs of acacia on the coffin. The Masonic procession was again re-formed and marched to the hall, where the brethren, were dismissed, Thera were 70 Masons at the funeral.

Thh Township op Kawhia. —The first sections of land in the new township of Kawhia were put up to auction in Auckland on Wednesday at the Crown Lauda Office, and commanded spirited competition and good prices. The total amount realised was no less than £4498, or just £3113 in advance of the upset price, a result that exceeded all anticipations. In some instances the bidding was very keen. One section fetched £4OO although put up at £4O. The land formerly belonged to the Charlton family, and was •old by auction at the suit ofjthe mortgagee, when the Government became the purchasers for £350. They have now derived a handsome profit from their investment. Important Phopebty Tax Cask. —There •was soma extraordinary evidence given in the property tax against Mr Macdonald, M.H.R., in Dunedin on Thursday. The prosecution asserted that an understanding had been come to that the defendant should plead guilty and throw himself on the mercy of the Court, This was denied by the defendant’s counsel Mr Macdonald, and the prosecution then proceeded; to give evidence of the understanding having come to. Mr Haggitt and Mr Denniston, solicitors, and Mr Sperry, of Department, swore that on the 16th Minstant they, the defendant (Mr Macdonald, and his «olicitor (Mr Macdonald) met in Mr Haggitt’* office. For the defendant, the request was made that an adjournment might be granted. This adjournment was wanted in order that negotiations with the Government might be concluded. The defendant said to Mr Haggitt, “ I am communicating with Ministers, and I want to prevent the case coming on at all. It is not the penalty that I am afraid of, it is the exposure.” He also said, “ Through my stupid foolishness, I have not sent in that return An agreement was then made I hat an adjournment would be agreed to, and that if the case then came before the Court, defendant would plead guilty, and do his best to get a reduction of the penalty. This version of what took place was distinctly sworn to by Mr Haggitt, Mr Denniston, and Mr Sperrey. Mr Macdonald, the solicitor, on the other hand, asserted that his suspicions were aroused when Mr Denniston wished to get his client’s admittance put into writing, and he then put in ■■ the proviso that he should not be precluded raising law points for the defence at the adjournment. A good deal of feeling was shown by the parties in giving this evidence. The defendant was not able to be in town Thursday and in consequence after the evidence for the prosecution was taken the Resident Magistrate granted an adjournment. Mr W. U. Slack, of Pleasant Valley, invites tenders for harvest work. Mr Francis Franks, of the Eclipse brewery, Temuka, has a two-horse dray and a quantity of damaged roofing iron for sale. The Temuka Linseed Company invite tenders for sinking well and building conrete tanks, those received not being satisfactory. The Geraldine Poundkeeper announces that a bay filly bps been impounded at the Geraldine Pound. If. not released will be sold at the Pound at noon on Thursday, 31st inst. Catarrh of the Bladder, stinging irritation, inflammation, all Kidney and similar complaints, cured by ‘ Buchu-paiba,’ Moses, Moss and Co, Sydney, General Agents. 3 Messrs Maslin and Sherratt announce that they will hold their first auction sale in their new rooms at Temuka on Saturday next, February 2nd. Entries will be received up to hour of sale. An Alabaster Box. —Young girls finding their complexion growing sallow, and their skin becoming rough or freckly, resort to perfumed ointments for a restoration of their bloom. All such should use Hop Bitters, which will restore bloom to cheeks, whiteness and beauty to their Acomplexion, making rich blood, good health, and happy smiles. Read Advt.