LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1274, 6 December 1884, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Vital Statistics. —Vital statistics registered with the Registrar for the Geraldine district for the month ended Nov. 30th comprised 8 births, 1 marriage, and 1 death.

Newspaper Changes. Mr Edward Wakefield has resigned the editorship of the Timaru Herald and will be succeeded by Mr Triggs, erstwhile sub-editor of the Wellington Post. Fire at Opunake. The stables connected with Prosser’s Hotel, at Opunake, were burned down yesterday morning. Nine horses in the stables at the time were rescued with difficulty. A great part of the contents were destroyed, and there was no insurance.

Pedestrianism, —Hancock and Swan are coming over to New Zealand by the Manapouri to take part in the 48 hours’ walk at Dunedin. Austin expresses his willingness to back Scott against the former for 24 or 48 hours. Hancock is the celebrated English pedestrian. “The Hall,” Temuka.— Mr J. W. Miles, of The Hall, Temuka, announces that he has just opened up a splendid assortment of Japanese curios and useful novelties suitable for Christmas presents. Mr Miles has also on view a fine selection of Christmas and New Year’s cards, which, to suit the times, he has marked at low prices. Altogether, his Christmas display is a very nice one. t Sunday School Anniversary.—Tomorrow is the anniversary of the Sunday school connected with the Wesleyap Church, Temuka, and the sermons at the morning, afternoon and evening services will be preached by the Rev. Mr Bond, a 'gentleman who was in charge of this circuit some years ago, and who, during his Ministry, was most deservedly popular. Doubtless the attendance at the services will be large. Medical Examination. —The first pro. fessional medical examination in connection with the Otago University, was held on Monday and Saturday last, when Mr William Christie, of Wairepa, passed the various examinations, Mr Christie is thus the first medical student who has passed a professional examination in the colony. Dr Macdonald, the recently appointed medical lecturer, has io consequence of Mr Christie’s successful passing, commenced his lectures at Dunedin, the summer session opening on Monday last. Capsize. —As Mr Georgeson’a baker’s cart was proceeding along the main street in Geraldine, and was jusb about to turn off and across the bridge over the river, the horse swerved in the opposite direction and tried to go up the cutting to Mr Williams’s store. The boy who was driving endeavored to pull the horse round on to the road but could not do so in time and one wheel of the cart running on the bank caused a capsize. The boy was thrown heavily to the ground, but, coming down in « soft place, escaped with a shaking. The horse and trap did not seem much the worse for the mishap. Improvements in the Geraldine Town District. —The Town Board Commissioners have since their appointment made good use of their time and the funds at their disposal. Most of the streets and footpaths hare been re-formed and shingled, and the township now wears quite a prosperous appearance. When the whole of the streets are improved they would do credit to a large and more populous town, and when once well formed the cost of maintenance will be small and should not exceed the amount of the license fees, etc., which will now be collected by the Town Board, so that ratepayers need have no fear of rateo being levied to keep the streets in repair. Direct Mail Service. —The contract for the conveyance of mails by direct steamer is for a period of five years. The contract time for the voyage is 42 days on the trip Home and 45 days outward. The contract with the Union Steamship Company for the distribution of the mails is not yet signed, but it is expected to be in the course of a day or two. The difficulty as to the despatch of letters alternatively by San Francisco and direct steamer having been adjusted does not relieve the letters via Brindisi from the 1 additional charges sanctioned by last Parliament. 1 1

Ihb San Francisco Mail. The Australia, with the November English mails, left ’b'risco for Auckland on the 25th ult., two days later than time-table date. The Zealandia with the November Colonial mails arrived at ’Frisco on the 2nd inst., one day earlier than time-table date.

The Native Minister.— The Native Minister left New Plymouth for Hawera yesterday morning. The wet weather on Thursday prevented Mr |sallance from seeing much of the country, and he did not visit Parihaka. He was deputationised at Opunake relative to the harbour and roads.

N arrow Escape,—As Mr John Kennedy was crossing the Waihi yesterday at Geraldine bis horse threw him into the stream, Mr Kennedy managed to reach the bank considerably exhausted, and prompt assistance being at hand be v«i taken out and conveyed home, when he \ soon recovered from the effects of his immersion. Timarh Races. — Owners of horses in the district are reminded that acceptances and general entries for the events to be run at the Timarn Racing Club’s meeting on Anniniversary Day, close with the Secretary, (Mr John Melton) Timaru, at 9 o’clock this (Saturday) evening. The Club are doing everything in their power to make the meeting successful.

Temuka Linseed, On,, Cake, and Fibre Company, Limited. —A meeting or the Directors of the above Company was held on Tuesday, December 2nd. Present—Messrs John Talbot (Chairman), Pilbrow, E, Brown, and Woodhead. Accounts amounting to £6 19s 9d were passed for payment. Quotations of prices of Native flax fibre were received from Melbourne and Sydney. Letters giving particulars of spinning machinery were carefully considered, but as further information was promised by the next mail, it was decided to postpone taking action in the matter until then. A resolution, was passed making the fourth call of 30s per share payable on the Ist January. The meeting then terminated. The Belgian Proposals. —M. De Harven arrived in Timaru by express train on Thursday last, and interviewed the Chamber of Commerce the same afternoon. He urged that considerable benefit would accrue to this colony by trading direct with Belgium instead of via London. There was a large market there for frozen meat, wool, wheat and dairy produce. He wished to take samples of the products of the district to exhibit them in the Industrial Museum, established under the auspices of the Government of Belgium. He went very minutely into matters, and was thanked on the motion of Mr Jonas. After visiting southern towns M. De Harven will return to Timani, when his stay will be more protracted, and he will examine the resources of the district. He will probably pay a visit to the industries of this district, and it may not be a bad thing to let him have samples of their products far his museum. Attempted Suicide. —At the R.M. Court, Christchurch, the other day (ac cording to the Telegraph), Robert H. Ayton, who was described as a journalist, was charged with this offence. Shortly before midnight on Friday the prisoner left’his boarding-house, and proceeded along Gloucester street towards Colombo street. He had been drinking for some time, and his mannei bad been noticeably peculiar. A fellow-lodger named W. Back followed him, but stopping to speak to someone, the prisoner got some distance unfollowed. Mr Brick went up Colombo street to the bridge, and found the prisoner struggling to get out of the river, Mr Back pulled him out, and they were met near the Market Hotel by Constabl® Briggs, who took the prisoner in charge, Sergeant-Major Bullen said that on consideration, as the man had been drinking, he would ask leave to withdraw the charge,, and substitute that of drunkenness only. This was allowed, and as the prisoner seemed to be suffering from the effects of drink, he was remanded for seven days for medical treatment.

Geraldine Floral and Horticultural Society. — A meeting of the Committee of this Society was held in the Geraldine Hotel on Thursday evening, Mr G, Ward (Vice-President) in the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting: having been read and confirmed, the Secretary laid the catalogues and tickets for the forthcoming Show (printed at the Guardian Office) on the table. The Committee expressed themselves highly satisfied with them. The question then arose as to the appointing of Judges, when the Secretary was instructed to write to three gentlemen, asking if they would act as such. Mr J. W. Py e was requested to engage the Oddfellows Hall for the 15th January next, the day appointed for bolding the Show. A letter was read from Mr H. Whittaker, Timaru, stating that he had a quantity of plants for sale, and requesting the Secretary to inform the members of the Society of the same. The Secretary was instructed to inform the writer of the letter that according to the rules of the Society 7 it would be too late for members or others purchasing same for the purpose of entering plants for competition for prizes. The Secretary and Treasurer were instructed to forward catalogues and rules of the Society to members as qirckly as possible. The meeting then adjourned till December 171 b, 1884.

Geraldine Public School. The examination of this school by Dr Anderson, the Inspector for the South Canterbury Board of Education, was finished yesterday, having occupied two days.

Colonial Generosity.— According to the Tablet, Mr Joseph Winter, of Melbourne, has forwarded to the Irish Land League since the Redmond Mission, £15,607 2s 31, exclusive of £2OOO towards the Parnell testimonial.

The Late Mr Swanson.— The funeral of the late Mr Swanson took place at Aucklank on Thursday, kir George Grey, Sir F. Whitaker, Dr. Shortland, Sir M. O’Rorko, Dr. Pollen, and Mr Tole were present.

The Weather.— Since the thunderstorm on Tuesday last the weather has been more or less wet, heavy warm showers falling till Thursday night, when a cold drizzling sou’easter set in and continued all day yesterday with more or less rain at intervals. There is only a slight fresh in the Waihi at Geraldine.

Christmas Goods.— Messrs T. and J. Thomson, drapers and silk mercers, of Sutter’s Buildings, Timaru, announce the arrival, ex e.s. Coptic, of a choice selection of goods in *ll departments, suitable for the December trade, and this includes of course the usual Christmas cards, nick-nacks, etc. It is needless to do more than draw attention to their advertisement, as the goods supplied by them are known to be of the best of their kind.

Timaru High School. Speechday was celebrated at the Timaru High School yesterday with great dclat. There was a very large gathering and everything passed off very satisfactorily. The speci. mens of the work done by the pupils were excellent and reflected great credit upon them. The Chairman of the Board of Governors presided, and the Rector delivered the annual speech, an extract from which will be found elsewhere. A latin play was acted.

The Unemployed. -Mr John Talbot attended at the Road Board office last Thursday afternoon to communicate to the unemployed the information he had received from the Government with regard to the unemployed. About nine men presented themselves, and Mr Talbot told them that he had received a letter from Mr A. D. Austin intimating that such men as were willing to go to work at Kaikoura ■would get free railway passes. All the men declined to go so far away from theii homes.

Young Men’s Club, Geraldine.— On Wednesday evening last the first monthly meeting of the members of the above Club was held in the Club room, there being a good attendance of members. Mr T. Sherratt was voted to the chair, who commenced the proceedings of the evening with a brief resume of the work of the past month, and congratulated those present on the prosperity, both numerically and financially, of the Club. Four candidates for admission were balloted for and accepted as members. The meeting then terminated. —A Committee meeting was afterwards held, when sundry accounts were passed for payment. A recommendation from some of the members to the effect that a dancing class be established in connection with the Club was next dealt with, when the Committee unanimously vetoed the proposal on the ground that it would prove detrimental to the interests of the Club. After transacting some further loutine business, tiie meeting adjourned till the first Wednesday ■•veiling in the ensuing month.

WHOLEBAIiB Aebe3T3.— lt Trill be remembered some two years ago three residents in (she Porirua district (Wellington) were arrested on a charge of illicit distillation of whiskey, for which they were convicted, and mulcted in penalties of £2OO and £IOO. The parties wore liberated on bail on two sureties in each case becoming guarantee for the .amount of the fine. Since then their case lias been brought to the Appeal Court for leave to grant a rehearing. The Court uplicld the decision of the lower Court, but the amounts have never been paid, and on Thursday last the Sheriff .of the Supreme ■Court visited the district and arrested all the principals, along with their sureties, and lodged them in gaol, where they will remain until the fine is paid. The principals, with the amounts for which they are indebted, are —George Taylor (£167 7s 6d), Wm. Thompson (£126 4s 2d), Thos. Morgan (£123 5s 2d) ; and the names of the bondsmen are — John Morgan, George Morgan, Wm, Taylor, Trank Levin, Geo, Thompson and Henry Thompson.

Kaxahti School Committee. —A meeting of this committee was hold on Monday evening last, the Ist inst. Members present—- . Messrs Jones, Leary and Kelland. The ’minutes of the previous meeting were read •and comfirmed. There was no correspondence of any importance. - The question of prizes and the annual treat was discussed. It was decided to hold the treat and distribute the prize* on Wednesday, 31st inst., the children attending the school to be asked to canvass for subscriptions to provide the necessary funds. The Chairman was asked to obtain the most suitable books, etc., for prizes from Mr Hutton, and make arrangements for getting provisions for the treat. A Working and Sports Committee ■were told off to arrange details. Xt was resolved —“ That Dr Anderson be asked, when examining the school, to kindly supply the Committee with the names of the best and second best scholar in each Standard, for the purpose of awarding the prizes on the day of the treat.” It was decided the school rghould break up for the Christmas holidays 4d Wednesday the 24tb inst., and reopen on Monday, 4th January, 1885.

Geraldine Road Board. The next ordinary meeting of this Board will take place in their office on Tuesday next at 10 a.m.

An Expensive Pastime. —At Featherston on Thursday J. H. Stewart was fined £5 and costs for kissing a lady without her consent in a carriage on the 'WellingtonMasterton railway. He will doubtless be more careful in the future.

Road Making.— The large stones have lately been picked out of the main street through Geraldine, and the heavy shower on Tuesday filled in the holes caused by the removal of the stones in as good a manner as could hare been done by manual labor. Cricket. —We would remind the members of the Geraldine Club that the match Married v. Single will be played to-day, commencing at 2 p.m. Practice will be held every afternoon next week, as a team from the Geraldine Club meet Otaio at Timaru on Eriday next, the 12th Dec.

Mortality Among the Fijians. The Yanua Leva correspondent of the Fiji Times says« People are dying out in these parts vary rapidly. During the year, in one town of Wainu, between 80 and 100 souls have passed away. Few are children, the gi eater portion being people who die for want of nourishment, bananas being the only food in the district. The natives will not plant, as they cannot ensure themselves the result of their labor, the ‘ Lala ’ coming in and robbing at will. The people have no resisting power against the disease, and the mildest form of sickness carries them off. Added to this is a want of any stimulus to exertion. Hope even has abandoned them. They simply lie down and die.”

Feels Young Again—" My mother was afflicted a long lima with neuralgia and a dull, heavy, inactive condition of the whole system, headache, nervous prostration, and was almost helpless. No physicians or mauloines did her any good. Three months ago she began to use Hop Bitters, with such good effect that she teems and feels young although over seventy years old.” — A Lady in S. I, Look up Advft,

Mrs W. Rolleston advertises for a general servant. Messrs J. Mundell and Co. advertise for sale privately a grass stripper. Tenders close to-day at the Bank of New Zealand, Geraldine, for sinking a well. Mr James Leask, of “ The Willows,” Milford, advertises a reward for the recovery of a lost dog. A Beautiful Painting. —Mr G. . Green, of Woodbury, New Jersey, U 8 A., i« presenting to druggists and others in tm country some very fine pictures in oil of bis magnificent house and grounds and labors tory at that place. Mr Green is the pro prietor of Bosohes’s German Syrup and Green’s August Flower, two very valuable medicines, which are meeting with great favor, the first as a remedy for pulmonary complaints, and the latter for dyspepsia ano disorders of the liver. These preparations have attained an immense sale solely on their superior merits, and are sold by all Druggists throughout the world. The price is the sanu for each, 3s 6d per bottle, or sample bottles for 6d. The sample bottles enable sufferers t.) prove their v f ae at a trifling cost.