LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1149, 8 March 1884, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Reported Hydrophobia in H.Z. The Auckland Herald’s correspondent at Hokianga reports that a dog there had hydrophobia, and had to be killed. , The symptoms were an unnatural protrusion of the eyes and foaming at the mouth.

Geraldine Coursing- Club. —We would remind our sporting readers that the anuual general meeting of the Geraldine Coursing Club will be held this evening in the Bush Hotel, at 7.30 p.m. As business of importance will be transacted, a meeting of all members is requested. Attempted Suicide. A man named Hunter, a carrier, residing in Montreal street* Sydenham, attempted suicide last Thursday night. He had been drinking, and on recovery became greatly depressed under the idea that he bad divulged certain mysteries of Freemasonry while in an elevated condition. His -judgment of relative risks (says the Press), must have been small, dreadful though the Masonic penalties are reported to be, for he swallowed a quantity of sugar of lead. Remedies were applied, and Dr Nedwill was sent for, who ordered the removal of the patient to the hospital. The above is probably an unprecedented reason for attempting suicide.

1.0.0. F. —At a recent meeting of the brethren of the Loyal Victoria Lodge 1.0.0. F., No. 19, Geraldine, at which the N.G., JBro. Coltman, presided, there was a good attendance of officers and members. The minutes of the previous meeting were read confirmed. One candidate was proposed and accepted for membership. A discussion then ensued with reference to the forthcoming sports to be held on or about 24th May next, and it was decided to write to Mr Donald Dinnie, asking him on what terms ho would be present at the said sports. After the usual routine of business had been gone through, the lodge was closed in peace and harmony by the N.G.

Extraordinary Occurrence.—A most extraordinary occurrence is reported from Winchester. While some men were thrashing last Thursday on Mr Deßenzie’s farm they found when they came to the bottom of the stack a retriever bitch belonging to Mr Gillum. In the centre of the stack a stock bad been left, and the dog had apparently been asleep in it when the stack was bnilt. When found the stook was so compressed that the animal had barely, room to move. The stack had been just a week made,and the bitch must have been there all the time. Strange to say she was still alive, although weak. At first she refused everything but a little water, but appeared as well as ever yesterday.

Native Obstedotionists.— The Auckland Herald’s Ureni correspondent wires :“ I bare just received information that Heremai and party have turned the Europeans off the coal mines up at Mokau, and canoed them down the river. The natives have thrown the coal that was got into the river.”

Fatal Accident to a Toll Bab Kbkpee. —Thomas Maddigan toll bar keeper at Kaieaera, Wellington, met with a serious accident on Wednesday last. He was standing on the railway line watching a train pass, and thought he was clear, but the cowcatcher caught and threw him some six feet in the air. His thigh was smashed and his head badly cut. He died on Thursday night. He stated that his brother was killed in a somewhat similar manner in England. A Volttnteee Casb. —Last Wednesday F. Dransfield, commanding officer of the Lyttelton Naval Artillery, sued D. Gillis, a member of the Company, for the amount of capitation which would bare been paid by the Government bad he attended the requisite number of drills under the Volunteer Regulations. Mr H. N. Nalder appeared for the prosecution. After hearing the evidence* judgment was given for the amount of capitation, £2 10s, and costs 288. Fatal AccinENTS to Childben.—The eighteen months’ old child of Mr George McDonald, a settler at Maungatua, was scalded to death on Wednesday through falling into a tub of hot water during the absence of the mother, who had left the room to procure some cold water,—Lena Smith, aged two years, the daughter of George Smith, carpenter, Ponsonby, Auckland, was strangled in a child’s swing on Wednesday while playing with it with some other little children under five years of age. A Teekxble Case. —A frightful case of the effects of drink was brought under the notice of the police at Opunake on Wednesday. A man named Brown, formerly engaged as clerk to a local blacksmith, some six months ago received a sum of £SOO from Home, and of late, with his wife, had been spending the money in hard and systematic drinking at home. It is said that the pair have disposed of five gallons of beer every other day, the accounts of which can he produced. A person called at the bouse and found 'the man lying dead on the floor, with his head under the bed, on which was his wife raving from the effects of drink. She did not know her husband was there* The place is described as unutterably filthy, the two, who have no children, haying lived in a most degraded state. Information was given to the police, and the woman was removed to the hospital. At the inquest a verdict was returned that death was caused by apoplexy, brought on by excessive drinking. An account for beer was produced showing that in two months 150 gallons of beer had been delivered.

Constitutional 'Association. —lt is proposed, upon the suggestion of the Hon. W. H. Reynolds, to form an Otago Constitutional Association, which will provide a certain sum per annum under individual guarantee. Its affairs will be managed by a Committee and a permanent secretary. The duties of the secretary will be to make himself acquainted with every political question or subject throughout the colony, and to report to the Committee upon every question affecting the interests of the colony, and the province. The objects of the Association are thus stated: — (1) To watch all colonial expen' diture, and to remonstrate against extravagance in each individual case. (2) By public meeting, the circulation of pamphlets, and otherwise, to educate the public on questions of the day, (3) To expose abuses and guard the public interests. (4) To advocate and advance whatever is for the general good. (5) To secure greater unity 'between : the settlers of the Middle Island. (6) To secure two or more local governments for the colony, with a Federal Government at Wellington dealing only with such subjects as are of general colonial concern, all local matters to be dealt with by the proposed local Legislatures. (7) The Association is not under any circumstances to interfere with elections* but to leave each member to use his ' private judgment in the choice of representatives.

Gored to Death by a Bull. —A most distressing accident happened at Amberly on Wednesday to a well-known and respected resident at Brown’s Bridge, named William Farquhar, whereby he met his death in what must have been a most painful manner. From the information to hand (writes a correspondent of the Star) it appears that the unfortunate man, who keeps a number of cows, went out, as was his wont, to fetch the cows into milk. Among the cows was running a two-year-old shorthorn bull. A girl living with the Farquhars, a short time after the deceased had left the house, looked into the paddock and observed'that the bull had Farquhar jammed up into a corner of a fence along which a drain ran. The girl immediately rushed for assistance to the nearest neighbor, Mr Lough, who, on going into the paddock, saw the bull quietly walking away from the fence with his bead covered with blood. On reaching the spot the bull had left, a fright* ( ful scene presnted itself. The infuriated animal had gored the unfortunate man to death. There was not a whole piece of clothing on him. One of his arms were broken, and several of his ribs were smashed. The horns of the bull had penetrated into his side, and his face and body ware in a most deplorable state. Immediately after the news reached Amberly, Constable Watt with a few volunteers went to the scene of the sad occurrence, and dispatched the bull. The deceased was a man of about 50 years of age and leaves a wife, four married daughters, and one unmarried son. He was in very comfortable circumstances. At the inquest on Thursday a verdict of accidental death was returned. This sad occurrence should prove an additional warning that even the quietest animals are not to be trusted. The bull which caused Mr Farquhar’s death was brought up as a pet by Mr Holder, whose children used to ride him about. He was only two years old, and had never manifested any signs of temper.

St. Patrick's Day Bam.—As a fitting conclusion to the sports that will be held in G-eraldine on the day set apart to the memory of the patron saint of Ireland, a grand ball will he held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Geraldine, in the craning, commencing at 8,30 p.m., the doors being open at 8 p.m.

Elasticity of oub Laws.—To Te Whiti is attributed the following epigrammatic description of the administrative of laws in Hew Zealand The laws of Moses were written on stone, the laws of Great Britain are engrared in steel, but the laws of Hew Zealand are impressed upon indiarnbber, so that they may be stretched in whaterer way the Government please.”

Board of Education. —The election of persons to fill three ordinary vacancies in the Board of Education, has resulted in Messrs Steward and Barker being re elected, and Mr G. G. Russell being elected to fill the place of Mr Walcot. Eor the extraordinary vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr Walcot a couple of months before the time came for him to retire, Mr James Bruce is declared elected. Mr Bruce’s term of office will end with the present month. St. Pateiok’s Day Spoets.—On Thursday evening last an adjourned meeting of persons desirous of getting up sports in Geraldine on St. Patrick’s Day (Monday, March 17th next) was held in Bowden’s Crown Hotel. The meeting was well attended, and Mr Pearpoint was voted to the chair, who stated that from the manner in which the subscription lists had been filled in, they were warranted in issuing a programme of the sports at once. After some conversation on the matter a moat liberal programme was drawn, up. It was decided to have programme posters printed and circulated, and to insert an advertisement relating to the same in the local paper. Mr A, Fisher was appointed Hon. Sec., and the meeting then adjourned till Thursday evening next. Forgery.—A Christchurch paper says that a man named David Howard Moncrief Ogilvy, was arrested on Thursday in Christchurch on a charge of forging Mr Joynt’s name to a cheque on the Colonial Bank for £2. He i s a recent arrival in the colony, and a clever linguist. Since he came he has called on several gentlemen to ask for pecuniary assistance. Mr Joynt gave him a cheque for £2, and his kindness was repaid by the forgery of another. He brought with him a letter from a London firm, which stated that he had been for years their correspondent in Asia Minor, and was highly valued for;his knowledge of modern languages. Ogilvy states that ho left that situation on account of illness, to cure which he came to iHew Zealand. Here he designed to establish a school for the teaching of modern languages —to include French, Spanish, Turkish, Greek, Persian, and Armenian. This project hanging, fire in spite of its gaining the countenance of many gentleman interested in education, Ogilvy found himself obliged to go to work hedging and- ditching, owing to faulty remittance arrangements. After this he got the sum above mentioned from Mr Joynt, and went to Ashburton, but he returned to ask for more. This Mr Joynt refused, as Ogilvyiwas obviously under the influence of liquor, and the next heard of him was the forgery.

Liability op Thustkbs. — Hot long since (says a writer in the Hawera Star) a lawyer named, Halse, of New Plymouth, committed certain frauds. Amongst other trust moneys was an amount —about £4OO, I think —placed in his hands for investment by the trustees of a certain Mrs Marshall. On the death by suicide of the solicitor, it was discovered that, with other sums, this amount had been misappropriated. The trustees were then warned by Mrs Marshall, on behalf of her children, that they would be held responsible for the ~amount. The trial is now ended, and Judge GJillies in giving judgment said : “ Upon a very careful consideration of this case, I can come to no other conclusion than that the defendants, by leaving the trust moneys in Mr Halse’s hand’s without their interference as to how it was invested, committed a breach of trust, for the consequences of which they are responsible.” The learned Judge quoted clear authorities for this position—“ That trustees having trust funds in the hands of their solicitor, are responsible for any loss that may thereby occur even though in employing the solicitor they exercised ordinary care and discretion.” Further— “It is the duty of a trustee to deal with trust funds as a prudent man would deal with his own property, for it is settled law that trustees leaving trust funds ir their solicitors’ hands are not acting as prudent men. As regards the infant plaintiffs, therefore, the defendant must replace the moneys lost by their breach of duty.”

Sharp Practice. —An exchange says : The natives at Ohinemutu have petitioned the New Zealand Parliament with reference to their having been robbed of money under the following circumstances ;—At the last sitting of the Native Land Court at Ohinemutu, the tribe principally interested sold a block of land to the Government, and re- ■ ceived as payment something over £2OOO. The land was sold for the purpose of defraying liabilities to the Government and to private individuals, but after the survey, Hen, and Government advances had been settled, there was a considerable balance left. A European had a sort of agreement with the natives to act as counsel for them in Court, but of course under the Act of last session this person was not allowed to appear. At the conclusion of the case, one native, a half-caste, and the European proceeded to Tauranga to receive the money. After deducting the Government advances and other expenses, £IOSO remained. Of this sum the European mentioned above appropriated £4OO for services rendered ; the half-caste, who had conducted the case in Court, took £SOO as his share; and the native appropriated the remaining £l5O. When the tribe heard of this they were naturally very indignant, and numerous stormy meetings followed, with the result that they have petitioned Parliament as above stated.

Well deserved Punishment.— At Ti* maru yesterday three men were each sent to gaol for a month with hard labor for stealing a bag of apples and seven fowls, the property of Mr Arthur Perry, on Wednesday night. Their names are John and George Henry Cook and Richard Martin. The Timabu Grain Markets. — A Timaru paper says that the grain market in Timaru can hardly be said to have opened yet, no wheat having been purchased for shipment or speculative purposes, Millers have purchased a few samples of new wheat at from 3s 4d to 3s 6d. The market is still stocked with fowls’ wheat, which fetches from Is 3d to Is 9d per bushel. Oats—Milling, Is 9d to Is lid ; feed, la 7d to Is Bd. Barley—malting j 3s to 3s 4d.

The Gold Summer.—‘At a meeting of the Philosophical Institute, Christchurch, last Thursday night aMr A. Ringwood gave an > interesting explanation of the rosy sunsets. He attributes them to the presence in the upper air of dust from the Krakatoa erup- . tion. A German professor estimates this to ■■■■: have been thrown forty miles high—far above the atmospheric currents, though these are 50,000 ft high at the equator. This of Ehakatoa was probably the greatest explosion that had occurred since the appearance of . man on the earth. The cloud of dust ejected was so dense that to it must, in his opinion,; be attributed the present cold summer, for it would intercept as much heat as a like quantity of aqueous vapour.

Retrenchment.—As a first step towards Civil Service retrenchments, the Government have finally determined to abolish the Colonial Architect’s Department, and on Wednesday a 'month’s notice was given to seven out of the eight officers employed. in the Department. The only one retained is Mr Turnbull, Clerk ol Works. The aggregate saving by this step is £IBOO per annum. The business formerly conducted by this Department will now be undertaken by the Public Works Department. It is probable that amongst other reductions iu the establishment, that of the Engineer in charge of the Middle Island will be abolished. These changes will effect a saving of £4,000 a year. As the railway revenue Jias , not realised expectations owing to the reductions in tariff in 1881*1882, whilst the cost of maintenance has considerably increased owing to the heavy renewals that are required as the lines continue to age, it is most likely that the tariff will-be increased so as to make the railways pay at least. 3 per cent upon their cost.

The Timaru Hospital,—At the last ordinary meeting o f the Timaru Hospital Commissioners a letter was read from the medical men resident in Timaru to the effect that in future if they were called on to attend at the Hospital they should charge a fee. The matter was adjourned for consideration at a special meeting, which took place yesterday, when the following resolution was carried: —“ That the letter of the medical men of Timaru to the Hospital Commissioners is tantamount to resignation of their position. The Commissioners accept this, and our Resident Surgeon be instructed to call upon the medical men in cases of emergency, one fee only to be paid according to scale. That the Resident Surgeon be instructed hot to admit any cases from the medical men without an order from the Commissioners ; also that the medical men be allowed in the Hospital by consent of the Resident Surgeon.” Mr W. J. If. Upton, Architect, invites tenders for erecting a carriage factory for Mr J. Barrett, of Timaru, in brick. Tenders close on the 14th, Brunner Coal. —Mr Ebenezer Smith, of Timaru, coal merchant, advertises that he is agent for the above coal, and will supply threshing machine proprietors and blacksmiths (for whom it offers special advantages) at lowest current rates. Flies and Bugs, beetles,insects, roaches, ants, bed-bugs, rats, mice, gophers, jackrabbits, cleared out by ‘ Rough on Rats.* Now Zealand Drug Co., General Agents