LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1157, 27 March 1884, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Bazaar. —lhe bazaar and conversazione in aid of the Temuka Brass Band Uniform Fund comes off to-day in the Volunteer Hall. The shops in Temuka close at 1 p.m. and the bazaar opens at 2.

Sunday Tradings At the Wellington Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, four publicans were charged with trading on Sunday. The evidence showed that in each case it was a lodger “ shouting,” and Mr Wardall, E.M., dismissed the informations. Geraldine Cemetery Trustees. A Gazette of the 20th instant, notifies the appointment of Mr R. H. Pearpoint to be one of the Trustees, in place of the Eev. J. Preston, resigned, to provide for the maintenance of the Geraldine cemetery. Lareikinism. —On Saturday night some of “ the gay and festives” of Temuka amused themselves at other people’s expense by stripping, with two exceptions, the whole of the blinds from the windows of the local shop-fronts, and removing gates, etc. The gates have been found, but as vet, we believe, nothing has been heard of the blinds. A Strange Case. —Judge Williams gave judgment on Tuesday in Dunedin in the case. Border T. Brown. The plaintiff had cohabited with the defendant for years and claimed a partnership with him in a dairying business he carried on, on the goldfields. Judgment went against her, His Honor holding that they had evidently agreed to live as man and wife.

The New G-eain Tariff. —At a largely attended public meeting at Ashburton, convened by the Ashburton A. and P, Association on Tuesday, the following resolutions were passed “ That this meeting protests against the new railway tariff, especially as regards the largely-increased rates upon grain, because it lays a special burden upon farmers, and is, therefore, a class tax ; while it is also in effect a tax levied only upon the southern half of the colony, and' chiefly upon Canterbury and Otago j” and “ That in the opinion of thi 3 meeting any increase in railway rates which may be found necessary or expedient should be so adjusted that the railways in the Middle Island, which are earning higher rates of interest, should not be called upon to make up for the lower rates earned by lines in the North Island.” A Remarkable CHAEaK.—The Dunedin City Council have discharged the sexton of the Southern cemetery under somewhat peculiar circumstances. A Mr Aitken complained that the grave of his child had been interfered with, and that an adult had been buried in the plot. The Reserves Committee brought Mr Aitken and the sexton, Mr Simpson, together, and finding that the grave had been interfered with, asked the sexton for an explanation. This he persisted in refusing to give in the presence of Mr Aitken, consequently the Committee suspended him, and the Council converted this into a discharge. The Com mittee will further investigate the matter. The sexton had held the office for eighteen years.

Abe Goodwills Liable to Peopeety Tax ?—Mr Carew, the Dunedin E.M., has given an important judgment upon a question raised between the British and New Zealand Mortgage and Agency Company and the Property Tax Commissioner. The question for decision was whether the Company was liable to be assessed for the property tax on the sum of £60,000, representing the price at which it purchased and values the goodwill of its business. The question had to be considered under two heads, first, whether a “goodwill” is property liable to be assessed under the Property Tax Act, and secondly, if *' goodwill” is not property ordinarily liable to be assessed, does the Company become liable from the fact that there is an entry in its balance-sheet showing the goodwill entered as having a value of £60,000. His Worship decided that the Company were not liable to be assessed on the goodwill. He thought the Legislature had not intended “ goodwills” to be “ property” under the Act.

Negligent Medical Men.—The following remarkable episode took place at the inquest at Helensville, Auckland, on the body of Mary Brown, an elderly widow, who expired somewhat suddenly from an appopletic fit. At the conclusion of the inquest the foreman of the jury, Mr Curtis Moore, rose and addressed the coroner, saying the jury had directed him to express to the coroner, and through him to the public, their feelings of indignation on learning that a woman in the township had lain for twelve hours in an appoplectic fit without medical attendance, while two professors of medicine were in the district. It was no use disguising their feelings in the matter. They must and would have a sober medical man in the town who could be available in every case of emergency. The two persons who resided among them were from their habits totally unfit and unreliable. In fact they were a disgrace to the medical profession. The jury requested the coroner, Mr A. Bonar, to duly represent their feelings in this matter to the proper authorities.

MAiKTEiraircK. —At the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Timam, on Tuesday last, before Mr Beswick, Esq., R.M., and T. W. Hall, Esq., J.P., John Hayhurst (by J. T. M. Hayhurst) was summoned by William Hayhurst, his brother, charging him with failing to support the plaintiff. Mr Hamersley appeared for plaintiff, and Mr Eaymond for defendant. His Worship declined to hear the case, because a similar case between the parties had been brought before him at the Temuka Court, and was not yet disposed of, having been adjourned for consideration. Mr Hamersley said another summons had been issued, because the defendant (Mr Hayhurst, iunr.) was going to leave the colony on Saturday, and plaintiff would then have no remedy, but would be thrown on the country. Ho thought the former suit had fallen through. His Worship said it had not, and it would be improper to hear a second one. He would give his decision in the former case on Friday morning. The information was then withdrawn.

Public Meeting at Temuka .—Mr Geo 't Edgeler, late a member of the Temuka School Committee, advertises another public meeting for to-morrow night, in the Volunteer Hall, when Mr F. W. Badham has promised again to take the chair. Mr Edgeler is to speak on School Committee matters and other subjects of public interest. A nominal charge for admission is to be made, and the proceeds, after payment of expenses, are ostensibly in aid of the prize fund.

Tre Natives at Kawhia.— Major Tuke, who is in charge at Kawhia, has telegraphed to the Hon. Mr Bryce that Mr Mackay has complained that the native Tirihatu, who made rather a pacific speech to the Governor, had turned him (Mackay) back at South Head where he was pursuing his geological studies. This is the first interruption ha met with, and Major Tuke has promised to see Tirihatu, regarding his conduct. Major Tuke mentions that all the natives at Kawhia appear interested in the result of Tawhiao’s visit to England. Tirihatu is the Same native that destroyed the beacons at Kawhia ion* time back.

Alleged Malpractice— A woman named Sarah Jane Flett, wife of a blacksmith at the Nightcaps, Otago, has been committed to gaol on a charge of manslaughter arising out of alleged malpractice as a midwife. The deceased woman was Jane Mildenhall, wife of a laborer at Wrey’s Bush. No doctor attended her, but Dr Young of Eiverton, who was sent for, found the woman dying. He did ’ not see the child, and was of opinion the deceased’s death was caused by improper treatment, which might however, have been used with the best intentions. . Further evidence went to show that the accused had stated that she had a diploma. In examination she admitted that, thinking all hope of the doctor coming was at an end, she used means she would not otherwise have taken to relieve the deceased. These facts was brought out at the inquest on Saturday, and Mrs Flett was , at once arrested. '

Accident. On Tuesday morning last, whilst Messrs Farrell, M. Connelly and H Smith, of Gferaldine, were out with their greyhounds, giving them a run, they proceeded along an unformed roadway between Mr Shaw’s and Mr McShane’s land leading to Mr E. Burke’s. Mr Connelly was in the act of disengaging the slips that had been attached to his saddle, when through their touching the horse’s shoulder, the animal bucked several times in succession, ultimately throwing his rider, who fell heavily to the ground. The horse galloped off, followed by all the dogs save one, the Queen, who kept by her master. Mr Farrell dismounted his horse and went to Mr Connelly’s assistance, who was found to be laying with his head close to his right shoulder. On being raised up it was at first feared that a fatal accident had occurred, but fortunately Mr Connelly fell on grass land. If this had occurred on a hard, stony road there is every probability, from the manner in which he fell, that most serious consequences, if not death itself, would have taken place. Mr Connelly shortly after recovered consciousness, and was able to mount Mr Farrell’s horse, when he was taken to Dr Fish’s, who on examination found that his collar bone was broken and had also that he had received a severe shock to his system. His head wai also much hurt. He is now progressing favorably.

A Eoad Boaed in Gaol.—A telegram from Christchurch says ; —■ The member* of the Gust Road Board, while transacting the business at the usual monthly meeting on Monday, were arrested by Sergeant Scott, at the suit of the trustees of the Murphy estate, for trespassing on the lands of the estate and knocking down a bank to make an opening for water. There is some dispute as to natural watercourses through the estate. The members, and their employees who did the work, were brought to Oxford, and let out on their own recognisances to come before the Co«rt on Wednesday. The Press has the following particulars of the affair ; —For many year# the Gust Boad Board and i‘s advisers have been exercised in mind and body about the large quantity of water flowing down the Oxford and Bangiora road. It appears that in the opinion of some, the water should divide at two culverts on the road near Bennett’s, while on the other hand it is contended that the water is now flowing in its proper course. On Monday last, the Board decided to open the various courses, and having had flood gates made for the purpose they assembled at Bennett’s, and proceeded to point out the position of the gates to tha contractor (Mr J. Lough). They had not done much when Mr R. L. Higgins drove up, accompanied by the Special Constable, Mr Morgan, of the Oust Hotel. Mr Higgins ordered the offending parties off the ground, but the members of the Board, Mr Dickinson (Chairman), Mr McLachlan and Mr Lough, refused to comply with the order, and were at once taken into custody by th# constable, who brought out his handcuffs, and proceeded to embellish their wrists. The Chairman was about submitting quietly enough to this indignity, but the contractor objected. Ho said he did not mind so much being arrested, but be objected to being taken about six miles in handcuffs. The other* also remonstrated, and the ceremony was omitted. Some one icmarked that all the members should be treated alike, and pointed out that one of them was hidden behind the gorse fence. The Special and Mr Higgins went in search of him, but the delinquent, no doubt thinking discretion the better part of valour, had precipitately left the paddock, and was going at such a pace as rendered pursuit hopeless. In the meantime the Sergeant of Police at Oxford had been telegraphed to come to Gust to receive the prisoners there. It was discovered, however, that the Sergeant was attending a sale near by, and they were conveyed in that direction in three traps, the Special Constable leading the van. On the Constable handing over the first one (the Chairman), the Sergeant laughingly called out, “ How many more are there to be taken over ?” The others then held up their hands, and each demanded to be similarly honored. They were taken to Oxford, and liberated on their own recognisances, to appear at the Court on Wednesday.

The Shooting Season.— A notice appears elsewhere to the effect that Mr Eowlev is as usual ready to supply sportsmen with every requisite fur the shooting season. He has received a very extensive stock of guns from Scott, Greener, Stanley, Adams, Colley, and other London makers, some of them being of remarkable finish and beauty, with barrels of laminated and of Damascus steel. Hammerless guns are also in stock. A few air-guns by a Birmingham maker, were sold immediately on their arrival, and a fresh supply has been ordered. These little weapons are amusing toys, and seem to have been constructed for the extermination of sparrows, and for keep* ing the eye and hand in practice. A great quantity of shot of every size, with special cartridges, is ready for sale, the powder being stowed at the magazine. In connection with this last article, it may be mentioned that the shipment for Mr Eowley was despatched from London by the St. Leonards. The unlucky vessel sustained a collision in the Eng lish Channel, and sank. Within a day or two after, the shippers had re-executed the order and dispatched the goods by the ship Oamaru in order that their customer might receive them in time for the shooting season here. The number of belts, bags, tools and requisites for a sportsman that may be seen in this establishment is surprising, and it is really but the simple truth to say, that no gunsmith in New Zealand has a finer or better-selected stock of arms. Mr Eowley is also prepared to repair, improve, or set in order any guns that may be entrusted to his care. The coming season should be a profitable one for Mr Eowley and no sportsman ought to neglect paying him an early visit. Geraldine Literacy Institute. —An ordinary meeting of the Committee of this Institute was held in the Reading room on Monday last. Present —Messrs Cook (Chairman), Lloyd, Waite, Willoughby, Eckford, Hughes, Huffey, and Cunningham. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Correspondence was read from the Education Department, Wellington, enclosing a cheque for £22 10s, being subsidy granted by Government from amount voted to public libraries; and from the Lyttelton Times Company re supplying papers. Resolved— <f That a Vote of thanks be given to the proprietor Of the Geraldine Guardian for his kindness in supplying a copy of the Guardian to the Institute free of cost.” A similar compliment was passed to the Lyttelton Times Company for a concession of rates. Proposed by Mr Cunningham, seconded by Mr Lloyd—“ That a list of books submitted by the sub-Committee, amounting to £36 odd, be ordered from Home at once, seeing that the subsidy received provides sufficient funds for the purpose, the sub-Oommittee to decide from whom the books shall be ordered.” Proposed by Mr Hughes, seconded by Mr Cunningham—“ That Messrs Willoughby, Lloyd Huffey and Cook be appointed a (subcommittee to take in hand the whole management of the smoking room ; that they may be empowered to fix and collect subscriptions, it being well understood that the surplus, if any, be handed over to the Institute. The Committee also to undertake the responsibility of making up the deficiency, if any, in the working expenses of the smoking room.” A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the meeting.

Mr W. Wheelband, Temuka, invites tenders for digging and bagging about 16 acres potatoes.

The Geraldine Road Board invite tenders for a number of Road works. Particulars will be found in the advertisement.

Mr L. Walker, Mount Pour Peaks Station, Woodbury, has 200 acre* at Four Peaks and 93 acres on Geraldine Downs to let by tender for crop of wheat or winter oats. Mr Thomas Turner, holder of a deferred payment section, in Arowhenua township, gives notice that be has made application for the transfer of said section to Mr William Wyatt.

Messrs Masliu and Sherrat will hold an extensive sale of gold and silver jewellery, F.P. Wave, fancy goods, etc., at their saleroom, Temuka, on Saturday next. See advertisement.

Messrs J. Mundell and Co., instructed by the holder of a bill of sale, will hold a sale of live stock, farm implements, household furni ture, books, &c., at the homestead of Mr J. Leishman, Gapes’Yalley, on the 10th April. On Wednesday next at their rooms, Geraldine, they will sell 134 acres land en Orari Gorge Road, the property of Mrs Eavens ; also, draught mares and geldings.