LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1150, 13 March 1884, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Held Over. —A letter from Mr Franks and other interesting articlss are unavoidheld over till our next. Masonic. The regular meeting of the members of the Southern Star Lodge, will be held this evening in the Masonic Hall, Geraldine, at 7.30 o’clock. Death or an Old Identity.—There died in Gisborne on Mondav, aged eighty-three, an old colonist well known thoughout the colony, Mr A. S. Braithwaite. In 1829 he made a locomotive engine in England, “ The Novelty,” which competed in the historical contest won by Stephenson’s “ Rocket.”

Gored by a Bull. The Christchurch Press states that on Sunday Mr D. Heney, of Kaiapoi, was gored by a young poley bull, which tossed him over a rail fence and so much injured him that he had to be conveyed home in a dray. Dr Ovendon was called in attendance, and found the bruises cf a severe nature. The bull had to that time been treated as a pet. Cricket. The following is the eleven chosen to represent Canterbury in the annual match, Canterbury v. Otago, to commence on Friday : —Messrs Wilding, Pocock, Dudney, Barnes, Millton, Dunlop, R. D. Harman, W. J. Cottevill, Stevens, McDowell, Eothwell. Emergency—G. Helmore. The following will play for Otago : —Austin, Boddington, Cooke, Crawshaw, Collinson, Dixon, Frith, Harris, Mac Neil, Parker and another. R.M. Court, Temuka. —At the above Court on Tuesday last, before John Talbot, Esq., J.P., a first offender charged with being drunk and disorderly was fined ss. In the same Conrt yesterday, before the same Justice, a fine of 5s was inflicted for a similar offence. Two men were brought up charged with having been illegally on the premises of the Temuka Hotel. It appeared that the two men were knocking about the town until it was late, and the a went into the washhouse of the hotel, where they settled down for the night, until Constable Morton invited them to avail themselves of the hospitality of the police cells. They were dismissed with a caution.

The Coursing Season. —As the coursing season will shortly commence, it may not be out of place to mention the fact that Geraldine possesses as fine a kennel of dogs as could possibly be seen m many a large town. Their owner, Mr T. Farrell, of the Bush hotel, lias recently become the purchaser, all of them being of pure strain of blood. There are nine clogs in all, under the supervision of one of the most sueeeesgful trainers in Canterbury. The dogs are all looking remarkably well, and at the close of the season will no doubt give a good account of themselves. Mr Farrell is a devoted lover of the sport himself, aul is determined that the district shall enjiyagood sporting season, lie is about to build kennels on his premises cn the most approved principle, and we heartily wish him success at every meeting whereat his dogs are entered.

The Opihi Bridge.—At Tuesday’s meeting of the Levels Road Board, the Overseer reported on the present dangerous state of the Opihi bridge, and advised that prompt measures be taken to remedy the same. It was resolved that the Levels Road Board request the Geraldine County Council to undertake the repairs to the Opibi bridge. A resolution was also passed to the effect that the Overseer be requested to advise the diversion of the stream in the Opihi river so as to throw it more to the centre, and to arrange with the Temuka Road Board to carry out the work.

Freethought Conference. A Free, thought Conference is now sitting in Dunedin. Mr Stout was elected President, Mr Ballanco, of Wanganui, "Vice-President ; and Mr Farnie, Secretary. Delegates are present from various places in the colony. A public meeting in connection with the Conference was held on Tuesday night. There was a large attendance, and Mr Stout presided. Addresses were delivered by Mr Stout, Mr Charles Bright, Mr Willis, of Wanganui, and others, and resolutions were passed protesting against blasphemy being declared a crime, as is done in the new criminal code, and expressing smpatby with Mr Bradlaugh.

The Canadian Champion. Hanlan arrived in Auckland by the San Francisco mail boat and has proceeded on to Sydney. He comes to the Australian colonies as a tourist, paying his own expenses, but he is prepared to row anyone who will meet him. He expected Beach to be pitted against him, but on being told that Trickett had lately beaten Beach, and was champion of Australia, he said he supposed he would have to meet his old opponent, Hanlan will probably spend a few months in Australia, and when he returns will give exhibitions in New Zealand if suitable arrangements can be made. He brings with him a boat of Spanish cedar, llin in width, which weighs only 291 b. The mail steamer left at 2 p.m., and Hanlon received an ovation on leaving. He said he would return to New Zealand in four months.

Temuka Butter, Cheese and Bacon Company,— A meeting of the Directors of the above Company was held in the Wallingford Hotel on Monday evening. Present—Messrs J. Guild (Chairman,), Austin, Postlethwaite, Gray, and E. A. Barker. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. An offer having been received for 40 of the pigs it was decided to sell them. Accounts amounting to £l4 4s weie passed for payment. The Secretary reported that he had paid £234 Is 2d for milk received the previous month. It was decided to issue six summonses without further delay, as several of the shareholders had failed to respond to the final notice. The meeting then terminated.

A Curious Case. —At the Supreme Court, Hokitika, on Tuesday morning, John Donoghue was indicted for murder. Before the prisoner pleaded, his counsel said the prisoner was insane, and Judge Williams ordered a iury to be empanelled to try the issue whether Donoghue was sane or insane. Doctors Hector and Kingswore the prisoner was mad. The jury retired, and after an interval, asked for further evidence. The following medical men then examined the prisoner as to his sanity, and reported thus: Drs. Tivy and Eosetti declared the prisoner sane ; Drs, Morice and Clarke said they saw no symptoms of insanity ; but they could not decide in the short time allowed for their examination. The jury found the prisoner sane, and the trial was commenced at four o’clock on Tuesday afternoon. Only three witnesses were examined on Tuesday. It was not likely a decision would be arrived at till late on Wednesday evening.

The New Railway Tariff.— The Wei Hngton correspondent of a contemporary sends the following explanation of the new railway tariff to come into force on 17th March : With regard to important changes in the railway tariff brought into force by the Saturday’s supplementary “ Gazette,” it has been explained to me that Ministers’ object is to get rid of the present heavy deficit in the railway revenue by abandoning the costly experiment of 1882-83, when the existing ruinous rates of freight were introduced; and by adopting a more proportionate rate of charge for direct services rendered—which only the ignorant will confuse with “ taxation” —to improve the payableness of the railways without pressing with undue severeity on any class of persons in trade. The increase in passengers’ fares is at the rate of 10 per cent, on the journeys to and from places more than ten miles from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill, suburban rates being left as they are. Press free passes are abolished, and season tickets at half price are substituted. There are slight extra rates on non-payable sections, such as Taranaki. Of coarse, the chief change is the increase in grain rates, which the results of last year’s experiment render compulsory. The plan adopted has been to revert not to the highest rates as in force in 1878 80, but rather to the old Canterbury Provincial rates (which were generally approved) with modi fication to suit existing circumstances ; for instance, the rate for ten miles, which was 4s 4d under the Provincial system, increased to 4s 7d in 1881, and reduced to 3s O'! in 1882 3, is restored to the first rate, 4s 4d, but the rate for twentv miles, which at first was Gs 4d, increased to 7s, and lowered to 4s 4d, has been only increased to 6s; or take the 100 mile rate, which was 18s 3d in Provincial days, 19s 2d in 1878, 17s 6d in 1881, and 11s in 1883, this is now raised only to 14s 4d. It is estimated that the changes made, which have been spread over as wide an area as possible, will make no appreciable difference to the public generally, or to individuals (save a few wealthy grain exporters), but will give such important aid in the aggregate in the revenue, that allowing for the ordinary rate of progress it is expected to show an increase oi £150,000 next year, and the estimates will be framed on that basis.

“ Twa Hours at Hame,"—Owing to the Oddfellows’ Hall at Geraldine having been previously engaged at the time Mr J. Mackay announced his lecture, “ Twa hours at Hame, ” therein, it has been postponed till Thursday evening next, March 20th. Mr Mackay appears at Reel Forest to-morrow night.

St. Patrick's Day Spoets.—The nominations for the handicaps for several events in connection with the above sports close to day at the Guardian Office, Geraldine, at noon. We have been requested by the Hon. Sec. to draw attention to the advertisement anent the sports in another column in which important alterations are notified. Mes Langtry.—Morns Greenwall, who arrived by the Frisco ’mail boat has engaged Mrs Langtry for a colonial tour, which will probably include New Zealand. Mrs Langtry brings a small company with her, and will appear in “As you like it,” “ She Stoops to Conquer,” “ The Unequal Match,” and other pieces.—Dion Boucicault has made arrangements with Morris Greenwall, theatrical agent, for a tour in Australia and New Zealand.

Brunner Coal.—This excellent eoal, which is fast pushing its way into the market, is of excellent quality for steam purposes. In another column will be found an advertisement intimating that threshing machine proprietors, blacksmiths and others who require a first class steam producing coal would do well to secure it. Mr Ebenezer Smith is the agent for it in Timaru, from whom it can be obtained in unlimited quantities. Temuka Mechanics’ Institute.—The ordinary monthly meeting was held on Friday evening last. Present—Dr J, S. Hayes (President), Messrs Blyth, McS, Gentleman, Lawson and The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Librarian’s report, inclosing £l3 Is, subscriptions paid since last meeting, was received and considered. Accounts amounting to £6 lls 9d were passed for payment. It was arranged that the President should have the necessary repairs made to the roof. A resolution was passed re sale of old papers. In deference to the wishes of several subscribers, it was decided that the Young Ladies’ Journal and the Illustrated London News should be taken in again, and it was also resolved that six new chairs should he procured in place oL the forms at present in use. The meeting then terminated. That Husband on Mine is three times the man he was before he began using * Wells’ Health Renewer.’ Druggists. N.Z, Drug Co., General Agents. 2