LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1181, 22 May 1884, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Masonic. An emergency meeting of Lodge Southern Star, 619. 5.0., takes place this evening in the Masonic Hall, Geraldine.

Clbabing Salh. Messrs Maslin and Sherratt will hold a clearing sale of groceries, drapery, etc., etc., at their salerooms, Temuka, to-day.

Danob at Pleasant "Valley.—A dance—the proceeds of which will be devoted to the school funds—will be held in the schoolroom, Pleasant Valley, to-morrow evening. Suicide. —John Mills, a farmer at Greendale, aged 65, cut his throat with a gorse knife. At the inquest a verdict of temporary insanity was returned. The deceased had a sunstroke some years ago. Temuka Linseed Faotoby.—The opening of the works in connection with the Temuka Linseed, Oil, Cake, and Fibre Company (Limited) will take place on the 28th iust. Shareholders and the public are invited to be present. A Singulab Accident. —Edward Borey, a master butcher, at Auckland, met his death in a singular manner. In lifting a sheep from a hook in the shop by the aid of a pole the end of the pole struck him in the ab domen, causing a rupture. The Bluo Kibbon.—Bishop Barry presided at a meeting of the Blue Eibbon Mission at Sydney the other night. He spoke in favour of the movement. Over eight thousand people have donned the ribbon since the arrival of Mr Booth in Sydney. Loss of a Ship at Fiji.—A ship of 1140 tons, the Syria, with coolies to the number of 400, from Calcutta, struck on a reef near Levuka, on the 12th May. Up to the present it is not known how< many have perished, but very few are known to be saved.

Temtjka Koad Boaud.—A special m»eting of tbe Temuka Eoad Board was held last Tuesday. Only Messrs Quinn, Patersoa and Smith attended. On the motion of Mr Q.uinn, Mr Talbot was re-elected Chirman for the ensuing year. Th« meeting then adjourned until the usual monthly meeting. The Queen'ji BrETHDAT.—The Government, after consulting with the Governor, have decided not to alter the arrangements for celebrating the Queen's birthday this month at Wellington and Canterbury. The holiday will be held on the 26th, and at Auckland, Otago, and other places on the 24th inst. A Bank Defaulter. The warrant against Sniythe, a defaulting Bank clerk accused of embezzling moneys from the Bank of Australasia at Auckland, has been withdrawn by the Bank, as he is dying of consumption at Melbourne. It will be remembered Sergeant Belford went to Melbourne for Smylhe, but returned without the prisoner owing to the difficulty of extradition. GrEEALDINK FIOEAL AND HoETICULTUIiAL Society.—On Tuesday evening last a meeting of persons interested in the formation of a Floral and Horticultural Society was held in G-eraldine. Owing to the inclemency of the weather the attendance was small. After some conversation on the matter, it was decided to form the Society, and the meeting then adjourned till Saturday evening next at the same place and time as previously advertised. A Coal Mine on Fire. —At four o'elock on Monday morning the Kaitangata coal mine was discovered to be again on fire. This time it appears that the conflagration 13 of a most serious character, but at present it is impossible to ascertain either the exact location or extent of the fire. It is known, however, that that portion of the mine in which the new engine has lately been erected, is burning, and it is supposed that the heating of the engine chimney is the cause. The pits are all closed up, and work is entirely suspended, while not a truck-load of coal is at present available for delivery. One man had a narrow escape from suffocation.

The Outgoing- Mail.—The San Francisco Mail will close on Friday next (to-morrow) at 5 p.m.

Dbbating Society.—We would remind all those interested in the formation of a Debating Society in Temuka, that a meeting with that object in view takes place this evening in the.Mechanics' Institute at halfpast seven o'clock.

Voluntib« Bail. The annual ball under the auspices of the No. 1 Company Temuka Volunteers takes place on Monday, the 26th May, that being the date on which Her Majesty's Birthday will be celebrated this year. Tickets may be obtained from the officers of the Company, or the Secretary, Mr Or. J. Maso».

Accident.—On Tuesday last, when the express train was between Temuka and Winchester, a man who was conversing with another on the platform of one of the carriages, fell off the train. Beyond tearing his olothes, and getting well shaken he was unhurt. After picking himself up he made the best of his way to Temuka. Birthday; Honoubs.—Says the Wellington correspondent of the Press:—" Nothing is known among official circles here in regard to the reported inclusion of Major Atkinson among the recipients of 'Birthday honours.' It is unusual, of course, for such intentions to leak out beforehand, and his Excellency the Governor is the only person in New Zealand who is likely to have received any priTate intimation on the subject. Apart from the position of Major Atkinson, he is personally Tery popular in Wellington. His knighthood would bo received here with general satisfaction."

Fatal Accident. A fatal acoidenb occurred at Mosgiel bush on Saturday night whereby Henry Hicks, a settler, lost his life. The deceased had been into town with his spring cart, and returned home about 6.30 p.m. As his horse was warm he went behind it to throw a bag over its back. The animal struck out its hind leg, kicking the deceased with great force in the abdomen. A doctor was at once in attendance, but as the injury was fatal he could do nothing. Hicks lingered till 9.15 on Sunday morning, when he died. He leaves a widow and nine children.

Sib Jrarui Vogel.— A rumour has reached here (says the Wellington correspondent of the Press) that Mr Fergus, membtr for Wakatipu, is likely to resign his seat, owing to his extensive contracts in Tasmania necessitating his absence from the co'onv. It is further rumored that in that case there would be every probability of Sir Julius Vogel being returned for the constituency. I hare been unable, however, to obtain any confirmation of these reports. Of course supposing it to be true, it would be well on in the session before Sir Julius could take his seat in the Houis.

Tbottino Match. A trotting match between Mr Smithson's Taffy, and Mr Peter Bertie's Medora, took place last Tuesday. A start was made at the Washdyke, the mare being piloted by her owner, with Mr N. C. Nicholas watching that she did not break, and Taffy being driven by his owner, with Mr C. Story to see fair play. The mare kept the lead until near the Arowhenua Hotel when Taffy let out like wild fire and came in an easy winner. The time in which the distance —between Band 9 miles —was done was 33* minutes. Next Saturday Mr N. C. Nicholas's Fenian will try conclusions with Taffy. The Pabihaka Meetings.—The Government received a telegram on Monday evening from Colonel Eoberts at Opunake that 320 Natives, headed by Titokowaru, arrived at Opunake bridge that day, en route to the monthly meeting at Parihaka and were turned. Titokowaru said made for ? The Government said they were for Europeans and Maoris, and that there was to be one law for both races. Now to-day you (meaning the messenger) and the Colonel stop the Maoris. Now be sure and not to hide my words from the Government." After delivering these few words, Titokowaru, accompanied by the other Natives, returned to Oeo, a small settlement not far distant from Opuuake.

The s.s. Aobangi. The New Zealand Shipping Company's specially built direct liner, the steamship Aorangi, Captain Turpin arrived at Lyttelton (says the Press) from Port, Chalmeri on Monday early, and was berthed at No. 5 jetty. She left here on the 31st of January last for London, and was back in the colony (Port Chalmers) on the 11th inst., or one hundred and one days for the run home and inclusive of stoppages at way ports, discharging, loading and coaling. Her outward trip to Port Chalmeri was done in the excellent time of 40 day§ 9 houri actual steaming, or 42 days 16 hours with stoppages. She brought out to the colony 365 passengers, including 203. assisted immigrants, embarked at Plymouth on March 29tb. Her date of sailing for London from Lyttelton is fixed for Saturday next, and she is to call at Wellington.

Attack bt a Mawtao. —A lunatic confined in a private asylum at Waikari attacked another patient with a razor, but fortunately the latter was rescued before serious injury was inflicted. The maniac who did the deed was very dangerous. He came from Canterbury, and Mr Hume has written to his friends that he must be removed, as he does not wish to hare any inmate who is so dangerous. The man is a religious maniac. He had the razor concealed in a hat-box, with a false bottom, and no less than seven other razors have been in his trunks. He slipped down stairs from his own room to the other patient's, and some persons at dinner noticing the door open, went to see what was the matter. When they got into the room, the maniac was kneeling at the side of the bed of the other. He bad a razor in his hand, but he had simply given the man's thro&t a slight scratch. He had his head covered, as if he was praying. The man attacked was weak, and has been in bed a length of time. The matter was reported to the Inspector of Asylums in Diiuedin, Mr J. B. Bradskaw. It occurred last Suuduy fortnight.

Teuvka Mechanics' Institute.—A meeting of the Committee of this Institute was held in the reading room on the 14th inst. Present—Messrs J. S. H<iyei (President), K. F. Gray, W. H. Hargreaves, and J. Ashwell. The minutes of the previoui meeting were read and confirmed, and the Librarian's report, enclosing £4 Is 6d, subscriptions since last meeting, wa« received aad read. The Librarian placed upon the table a quantity of books requiring l-ebmding. The President stated that he would ascertain where he could get them boued, and have it done. Accounts were passed for payment amounting to £2l 9». Mr Ashwell asked if there would be any objection to the formation of a Debating Society in connection wilh the Institute. The President stated that, provided the members of the Debating Society became members of the Institute, there would not be any objection. The meeting then terminated.

Geraldinb County Council.—At yesterday's meeting of the above body it was agreed that a special rate of one-tenth of a farthing in the £ be struck on the rateable value of the County, for the purpose of complying with the provision? of the Roads and Bridges Construction Act I in the matter of the loan for construction | of the Opihi Bridge. The following letter was read from the Pareora School J Committee in reply to a letter asking for j the use of the school for election pur- j poses :—"Sir,— I have to inform you, by request, that the Committee regrets refusing the use of the school for any public purpose, but think the County Council a superfluous body and a burden to the ratepayers, and they decline to grant your request. Your's truly, Isaac Wilkins, Uhairman School Committee." A letter wa» read from the Geraldine Road Board, declining to take part in the irrigation acheme, and complaining that ' the rate roll was defective, several dead men's names having been retained upon it. It was explained that the plan had been sent to the Geraldine office merely to comply with the Act. Aa to the rate-roll it had been sent there for amendment, and it was for the people to make objections and amend it. A letter from the Ashburton Council was read in reference to the proposed sheep bridge over theßangitata. It was decided to communicate with the Road Boards on the subject. The acceptance of a tender for the Opihi bridge was postponed until it is ascertained that all the provisions of the Roads and Bridges Construction Act have been complied with. Eighteen tenders for Opihi Bridge works were received, and Mr G. Laing-Meason being in attendonce, thay were handed to him to be opened and arranged in order.

Poverty and Suffering. dragged down with debt, poverty and suffering for years, caused by a sick family and large bills for doctoring, which did them no good. I was completely discouraged, until one rear ago, by the use advice of my pastor, I procured Hop Bitters and commenced their use, and in one month we were all well; and none of us have seen a sick day since, and 1 want to say to all poor men, you can keep your families well a year with Hop Bitters for less than one doctor's visit will cost. I know it."—A Working Man. Bead Advt.

Mr D. Shaw, G-eraldine Flat,|inTites tender for fencing (stakes and wire). A bay mare has strayed into Mr,W. Earl's paddock, at Kakahu. The owner can have the same on paying expenses.