LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1178, 17 May 1884, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

SIE Deo. (3-set. —Sir Deo. Drey addressed a crowded audience afcTimaru on Wednesday night, and received a unanimous rote of thanks. Masonic. —On Thursday evening next an emergency meeting of the members of the Southern Star Lodge, No. 619., S.C. will be held in the Masonic Hall, Deraldine, at 7.30 o’clock, sharp. Censuring a Schoolmastbb. —The Auckland City School Committee have passed a vote of censure on the master of the Nelson Street school, for severity in the punishment of a female pupil. The Wellington Benevolent Institution.—The late Mr Oliver Wakefield, who was killed by a tram accident in Dunedin, recently, had bequeathed £92 as an endowment for the benefit of the Benevolent Institution. Peoposed Floeal and Hoeticultueal Society. — As the outcome of certain letters that have appoareddn this journal of late, a meeting of persons interested in the formation of a Floral and Horticultural Society for Deraldine, will be held in the Duabdian office on Tuesday next, at 7.30 p.m. Doveenment Immigrants.—The following Dovernment immigrants are to arrive by the e.s. Victory : —For Auckland, 128 soulij equal to 114£ adult*; for Hawke’s Bay, 38— 33 ; for Wellington, 76—64; for Canterbury, 19—17 J ; for Otago, 63 —52£ ; for Nel»on, 17—14£ • for Westland, B—B ; for Marlborough, 11—10-j-, Total, 370 souls, equal to 313£ adults. The Dunedin Coppee Palace,—A meeting of shareholders in the Coffee Palace and Private Hotel Company was held on Thure* day, in consequence of the stoppage of the Company’s credit and dishonoring of their cheques. It was resolved— * That the meeting be adjourned for a month, and that the Directors be instructed in the meantime to call for tenders throughout New Zealand and Australia for the Company’s assets, ’ In it Again. —lb is stated that Mr J. C, Pharazyn is te be proceeded against for illegal practice at Wednesday’s election at Wellington. Soma two years ago, at the last election for Thorndon, Mr Pharazyn voted at each polling booth, for which offence he was duly convicted. This conviction under the Corrupt Practices Prevention Act disqualifies him for voting for 3 years, and by his present action it is alleged that ho has made himself liable to a fine. Aeeebt op a Footballik. —O’Donnell, one of the Southland footballers selected to go to Sydney, was arrested at Clinton on Thursday, and taken back to Invercargill the same night on a warrant. It appears that he is indebted to several tradespeople in town, who have taken this step owing to a strong suspicion that ha did not intend to return. O’Donnell had his wife with him, and is well-known as an athlete. He was a large winner at the Dunedin amateur sports. Resident Magistbatb’s Coukt, Dekaldine. —OnThursday last—the regular monthly Court day—in conssquence of the Resident Magistrate not arriving from Ashburton, the Court was adjourned. The criminal cases will be taken to day and the civil cases on Wednesday, 28th instant. Although no official intimation has been given in regard to the matter, we understand that in future the sittings of the Resident Magistrates’s Court, at Deraldine, will be held on the third Wednesday in the month instead of the third Thursday as heretofore. Dale at Peel Foekst.— On Wednesday afternoon last, a whirlwind occurred at Peel Forest, and eren for some time after it decreased in force the fury of the northwesterly gale was severely felt. The pretty Episcopalian Church was lifted bodily off the piles and became a complete wreck, and the roof of the sawmill shed belonging to Messrs Taylor and Flatman was also blown down. Several trees at the outskirts of the forest were torn up by the roots. At Woodbury two chimneys at Mr Donkin’s residence were blown down, and other minor damages done in other places. The tops of several stacks were blown over. At Deraldine the wind was pretty strong, but no damage whatever was done in that part of the district. '

Football. — A scratch, match will bo played in the Temuka Park, to-day, at 3 o’clock.

False Pretences. —At the R.M. Court, Timaru, on Thursday, E. H. C. Plowden was charged with obtaining goods to the value of £l2 14s from Robert Glass, storekeeper, at Geraldine, by means of false pretences, on March 24th. Mr Tosswill appeared for accused, who was remanded to Geraldine, to be brought up on Wednesday next. Debating Society. —A meeting of those interested in the formation of a Debating Society for Temuka, is convened for Thursday evening next, at half past seven o’clock, in the Reading Room of the Temuka Mechanics’ Institute. We hope to see a largo attendance. There can be no doubt as the beneficial effects of a debating society, as it affords the opportunity of occasionally passing a pleasant and profitable evening. Sib Julius Vogel. The following appears in the New Zealand Herald in reply to the enquiry of Sir Julius Yogel by the Editor as to his political intentions: —“ In reply to your telegram, I have no intention of staying beyond a few months, and no intention to form a distinct party, I came here without a thought of entering politics but observing existing difficulties, I thought my long experience in New Zealand might be of some use in suggesting remedies and consolidating parties. Hence without a desire to obtrude myself or revive old partisan feelings, I accepted the invitation of the East Coast electors, which was entirely spontaneous and unsolicited by me.” Kakahu School.— A meeting of this Committee was held in the schoolroom on Monday evening, sth instant, all the members being present. The minutes of one ordinary and one special meeting were read and approved. The following correspondence was read :—From the Board, re Scholarship examination. From the same forwarding voucher for the second quarter’s incidental grant, £5 6s Bd. From the same'submitting the following resolution—“ That the attention of Committees be drawn to the inadvisibility of schools being closed oa account of small attendance on' wet days, and that they be informed that it is the duty of teachers to receive and instruct those children that do attend, no matter how few they be.” From the Board, covering a petition from the householders in the district, praying that Miss Marion Meredith’s services be retained in the school, and requesting the Committee’s explanation thereon. Tha quarterly attendance returns to 31st March showed an average of 50. From Mr C. E. Sherratt, Returning Officer, Geraldine Road District, requesting the use of the schoolroom for election purposes. From the head teacher, drawing the Committee’s attention to several necessary repairs, etc. ; also, enclosing cheque for £3 13s 6d, proceeds of sale of books to the children to 31st March. In reference to the petition by the parents of children re retention of Miss Meredith in the school, it was resolved —“ That the Committee do not see any reason for altering their former decision re retaining the services of the pupil teacher, and respectfully request the Board to take immediate steps to provide a mistress for the school.” Mr Beattie was asked to do the most necessary of those repairs which Mr Cooke requested to have done, Mrs Constable wrote complaining that £1 6s bad been owing to her since Christmas on account of cleaning the school after Good Templar meetings, and requesting that the same bo paid ac once. Mr Hutton’s account, £7 13s lid, was ordered to be paid, and the meeting adjourned to the first Monday in June. Entertainment. Miss Carry Nelson’s Company appeared last Thursday evening in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka, to a rather small audience. The entertainment given was really very enjoyable, amd it was fully appreciated by the audience, who applauded and encored every item, and manifested their Satisfaction in many other ways. As a laughter-provoking entertainment we have seen yery few to surpass it. The audience was kept in roars of laughter from beginning to end. Miss Carry Nelson is certainly not inferior to any lady in her profession ws have seen in her capability to entertain an audience. The whole weight of the performance fell on her shoulders, and those who Istened to her did not regret it. As a vocalist we have heard few better. Of course there are better singers, but there is something about her singing that pleases much better than singing of a higher order. There is a metallic ring about it, and she possesses the faculty of being able to change from contralto to soprano without effort. In fine she is a delightful vocalist, and her singing of ‘ The dream of love,’ ‘ Steer my barque to Erin’s Isle,’ * Cornin’ through the rye,’ ‘ The Marseliaise’ and other songs won her great applause. lor her singing alone she is worth going to see. The performance was opened with ‘ Married Bliss,’ in which Miss Carry Nelson and Mr M’Fadyen sustained the characters, and did it full justice. This was followed by a couple of recitations by Mr M’Fadyen and a song and dance by Miss Lottie, all of which passed off successfully. The performance concluded with ‘ The Soldier’s Daughter,’ in which Mr M’Fadyon recited * Tam O’Shanter.’ The way in which these little bits of comedies are put on the stage is amusing. The wellknown Iplays from which they are taken are * boiled down’to a degree that nothing but the fun is left, and to this is added a considerable amount of humor that does not belong to it. For instance ‘ The Soldier’s Daughter’ is nothing else than the ‘ Daughter of the Regiment,’ which is a French play, and yet introduced into this are Irish and American sketches, which enable ‘Yankee Doodle,’ an Irish ditty, and somef comic songs to be sung. The Company appeared again last night, when an entirely new programme was gone through as successfully as on the previous evening. Tonight and next Monday night they will appear in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Geraldine, and we strongly recommend persons desirous of having a good night’s amusement to go to see them.

The Geraldine County Council.— The vacancy in the above Council, oaueed by the resignation of the member for the Levels Riding, Mr McKerrow, has been filled by the election of Mr W. Balfour. Mr Balfour polled 451 votes; Mr A. Mee, 130, and Mr A. Wilson 14.

Thh Gale at Ashburton.— A heavy north-west gale blew at Ashburton on Thursday, the severest felt for many yean on the plains. The new grand stand recently erected at the racecourse had its roof blown off, and its brickwork seriously' damaged. The estimated damage is about £IOO. Two chimneys of Beecher’s Central Hotsl were blown down, falling on the root and breaking through. The store of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company was injured by the force of the wind,’the iron roof being blown off, and injuring the neighbouring building. Two telegraph poles were mapped in two, the traffic being interfered with for some time, but the injury was repaired ag ~ soon as ths gale abated. The own correspond V dent of the Press telegraphs : —The effect of yesterday’s storm of wind and'rtin was very severely felt at Methven. About midday ths Chureh of England building was lifted bodily several feet off ths ground, and shifted some little distance from its original position; a second and more terrific gust of wind followed immediately after, and the little church was again lifted in mid air, and completely smashed, not so much as a stud or a wall-plate being left intact. The harmonium, books, and other articles of eburch furniture were with difficulty saved from utter destruction. Timber, corrugated iron and other material was sent fifing about the' town daring the day, and sad havoc was made with the contents of Mr Scrimgeour’a timber yard. Blue Ribbon Movement in Tbmuka. —The monthly meeting of Delegates was held on Thursday, 15th inst. The chair was occupied by the Rev. T. A. Hamilton, the President of the Blue Ribbon movement. The minutes of the previous meeting were read, and confirmed on the motion of Mr Russell seconded by Mr Lucas. The Treasurer then presented the following financial statement for the previous month. Receipts—Balance in hand, £2 19s 4d ; by Mr Green’s meeting, £1 12s 6d ; by Orari meeting, 10s Id. Total, £5 la lid, Expenditure—to Temuka Leaser, £1 Is ; Mt‘ Green’s travelling expenses, £1; to TimaruHerald, 6s ; hire of hall, £1; carriage to Orari, 12s 6d. Total, £3 19s 6d ; credit balance, £1 2a sd. The Secretary placed on the table catalogues, etc., of Temperance Literature received from the Otago Book Society. A discussion ensued re Temperance Literature. Mr Lucas stated that the ‘ Temperance Literature Committee’ were willing to advance the necessary capital in order to procure a -first instalment of tracts, etc., and also that they would endeavor to make the Literatuie Fund self-supporting. This: was thankfully acknowledged and warmly approved of by the meeting. It was proposed by Mr Russell and seconded by Mr Lucas ‘ That the next Gospel Temperance meetiaS be held on Thursday, 12th prox.’ —Carried. Mr Cooper proposed and Mr Russell seconded * That the Rev. Jasper Smyth, of Pleasant Point, be invited to address the next monthly meeting,’—Carried. It was decided that the Blue Ribbon Choir should meet for practice in the Presbyterian Church on the Thursday previous to the Blue Ribbon meeting. The Secretary was 'instructed to reconnoitre the Winchester country in order to fix a suitable lodgement for a ‘ flying column’ from the main army now in ‘close action’ in Temuka. The'meeting then terminated in the usual manner.

The Sotbbintsndsnt oe Agents.— lt i stated that Mr Thorne’s connection with the Government Insurance Department has been severed. It is probable that an action will be taken by Mr Thome against the Government for breach of agreement. On this subject the Wellington correspondent-of the Press writes : —Renewed interest in the dispute between Mr George Thorne, junior, and the Government was excited to-day whoa it became known that the Government had finally severed the relat ione existing between that gentleman and the Insurance Department. It appears that the suspension took place in the first instance upon the sole authority of the Commisiionen Mr Luckie. The matter subsequently came before the Minister, and the Law Officer wae instructed to report on the legal aspect of the affair. After some days’ deliberations a letter was sent to Mr Thorne briefly informing him of the termination of his connection with the Department, and adding that the amount due to him as Commissioner would b? paid. So far as I can hear, no reason wae assigned in the letter for the step taken; it is a fact, however, that after the publication of the telegrams by Mackay, the agent charged with embezzlement, Mr Thorne was called on by the Department for an explanation, especially on the one urging Mackay to impersonate the newspaper man, place bankruptcy placards in tha railway carriage, ate. Mr Thorne, I believe, explained that at the nspst this wae an excess of zeal on his part to prevent the Government preserves being poached upon, and that the bankruptcy plaeards merely referred to placards issued by the Commissioner referring to the insolvency of the Albion Life Insurance Company and tha Albert and . European Life Insurance Companies. It is reported on good authority that Mr Thorne at once repudiated the power of the Government to terminate his contract, and demanded compensation. I am told that he offered to resign if they would pay him £2300, or to submit the matter to arbitration, but that these proposals were declined. It is now said that he has instructed his solicitors to issue a writ for £SOOO, and even talks about going to Bgmont and trying his canvasiing powers against ths Premier at tht

coming election. Thera seems to be no doubt that unless some compromise is arrived at the matter will come before the law courts, probably in Juno next. Mr Thorne has had • large number of agreements with the Department—fourteen in all—and it is said the last was concluded with the Commissioner on the 4th July, 1883, and provided for the payment of a commission 5s per cent, on all new business, and the discontinuance of a ■alary of £450 per annum which he was formerly paid. The arrangement was to •xtend over the period comprised in the present quinquennial, and then not to be determined without three months’ notice on either side. It is reported that further changes are pending in the Insurance Department (in the way of reorganising the ftaff, and that the position of Superintendent of Agents vacated by Mr Thorne will not be filled up.’ How TO Get Sick.— Expose yourself day and night, sit too much without exercise, work too hard without rest, doctor all the time, take all the rile nostrums advertised, and then you will want to know How to Get Well. —Which is answered in three words —Take Hop Bitters. Read Advt. Messrs Mundell and Co. will bold a sale of fancy goods, at their rooms, Geraldine, today. The owner of a brass cap of a wheel, found on the Winchester road, can have the same on application at the Lubes Office. Mr K. F. Gray will hold a sale of horses, cattle, guns, household furniture and effects, beer pump, and glasses, at his salerooms, Temnka, on Wednesday next. Messrs Maslin and Sherratt will hold a clearing eale of groceries, buckets, brooms, boots and shoes, pictures, etc., etc., at their rooms, Temuka, on Thursday next. Catarrh oithe Bladder, stinging irritation, inflammation, all Kidney and similar complaints, cured by ‘ Buchu-paiba. New Zealand Drug Co., General Agents. Any person finding a book entitled "Breviarium Romanum, ” recently lost by the Rev. Father Kean, will oblige by returning the same to him at his residence, Main Road, Geraldine. The Poundkeeper at Geraldine notifies that unless a brown horse, impounded from ’Four Peaks Station, and a bay horse, impounded from the Orari Estate, are released, they will be sold at the pound in that township at noon on Wednesday next, 21st May. Wells’ ‘ Rough ok Corns.’ —Ask for Wells’ Rough on Corns. Quick relief, complete, permanent cure. Corns, warts, bunions. New Zealand Drug CoGeneral Agents. 3