LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1291, 17 January 1885, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The ’Frisco Mail.—The portion of the incoming ’Frisco Mail for this district may be expected to arrive to-day. Temperance Lecturer. —Mr R. T. Booth, the Blue Ribbon Missionary, sailed on Thursday from Sydney for Auckland. The Customs. —The Customs returns for the colony for the quarter ended 31st December show the receipts to have been £327,147 as against £337,981 in 1883. Temuka Mechanics’ Institute. The annual meeting of the above, which was to have been held last night lapsed, for the want of a quorum. An effort will be made to get a quorum together next Thursday evening. Registration of Dogs. —Mr C. E. Sherratt, Registrar for the Geraldine Town Board, notifies by advertisement in another column that proceedings will be taken if all dogs in the Town District are not registered on or before the 24th inst. Parish Festival, Geraldine. The annual Parish Festival and Sunday School treat in connection with St. Mary’s Church, Geraldine, will bo held in the Park on Thursday next, the 22nd. It is to be hoped the weather will prove favorable for tha occasion, so that the gathering may be as enioyable as possible. An advertisement in reference to the festival appears in another column. Primitive Methodist Church, Temuka. —The anniversary services i.i this Church to-morrow will be conducted by the Rev Mr Nixon of Ashburton—in the morning at 11, and evening at 6 o’clock. The collection on each occasion will be devoted to the Trust Fund, On Monday a tea and public meeting will be held in the Church and we hope to see both well attended. Addresses at the mieting will be delivered by the Revs. Nixon, Clark, Laycock, Rothwel l , and’ other friends. The Late Attempted Suicide,—We understand that Dennis Toohey, who recently attempted suicide by catting his throat in the Temuka Park, is rapidly recovering. The latest account from Timaru stated that he would be ready to leave the hospital in a few days. His recovery is very creditable to the skill of Dr Campbell, who sewed his wounds up. Considering the fact that he committed the rash act during the night previous fcj his having been discovered, and that the wound was 2fc inches deep, his recovery is not a little remarkable. As his clothes were wet when found, it is surmised that Toohey at first attempted to drown himself in the creek at the end of the Park. In support of this theory it is said that his footsteps were traced to the verge of the crsek, and that his knife was found on the bank. Sabbath School Treat. — The annual Sabbath School treat in connection with the Presbyterian Church, Temuka, was held last Thursday in the paddock adjoining the manse. At about 1 p.m. the children, accompanied by their parents and friends, assembled at the appointed place, to the number of about 200, when the usual juvenile games commenced immediately, and were carried on with great vigour until 3.30 when an adjournment was made for tea. The good things were provided by members of the congregation, and were as excellent in fuality ns they were abundant in quantity. The tea having been disposed of, the games were resumed and continued until 6 p.m., when all separated, highly elated with the day’s amusement. Amongst those who were most active in catering for the amusements of the children were Messrs Stewart, Smith, Cooper, S. and J. Cain, R, R, Brown, and several ladies of the congrsgation, to whom much credit is due.

The Owhi Bbidgb.—This bridge has been open for traffic all the week, and if now drawing towards completion. It is time that it was finished. The contract time expired on the 27th of October last. Charge of Forgert. —At the Amberley Court on Wednesday, before Mr A, Broadfoot, Eli Jones, was charged with the for* gery of a cheque for £8 Bs. The accused* who denied the charge, passed the cheque to Mr Trueman, in payment for a pair of boots. The cheque was drawn on the Bank of New Zealand, Timaru, ariß signed “ A. Morrison.’ and was returned marked “No account*’ Jones was arrested at Waiau on Tuesday, and was remanded on Wednesday for further evidence.—Press. Presentation. —Mr E. Wakefield, the editor of the Timaru Herald during the past 10 years, was presented by the employees of that paper on Wednesday last with a very nice pair of field-glasses, bearing the inscription: “ From the employees of the Timaru Herald to Edward Wakefield, January 10th, 1885.” Mr Wakefield in returning thanks expressed his regret at having to bid them good-bye, said that though no longer editor ho possessed a large number of shares in the proprietary of the paper, and would take great interest in its welfare. Mr Wakefield is about to pay a visit of six weeks to Australia. The Annexation of Samoa, The Thames Advertiser publishes the following extract from a private letter from Mr George Spencer, who writes from Samoa on December 2 : —" There has boon great political ex* citement here, caused by the Germans trying to annex Samoa. 1 need hardly say that their attempt proved abortive. The Samoans collected from all parts of the Islands and crowded into Apia, and told the Germans they would rather die to a man than allow Germany to take Somoa. The feeling against the Germans is very bitter indeed. The Kings, and Chiefs have sent a petition to Great Britain, praying for the English Government to annex Samoa, and one to the New Zealand Government to the same effect. Timaru Haebob Board.— At a meeting of the Timaru Harbor Board last Thursday a letter was read from Mr Back, traffic manager, stating that he thought it objectionable to have both dray and railway traffic on one wharf. A letter was read from Mr 0. W. Turner, re delivery of cement, and after considering it the Board decided to reply that he will be required to adhere to the conditions of contr ct. The Harbor Master reported the arrival during the month, 22 vessels, aggregating a registered tonnage of i 174, and the departure of 22 vessels. Most of the vessels had been worked at the wharf. The p.s. Titan had been cleaned during the month. The net earnings of the Landing Service during the month had been £92 5s 6d * and the gross £2OO 17s Id. The Engineer reported that during the month the breakwater foundation blocks had besn extended 46 feet. Tenders for wharf construction No. 8 (Northern wharf) and for the supply of iron bark piles and beams had been called for. and awaited acceptance. Duplicate plans had been fro warded to Government for approval. In reply to questions -the Engineer said that 36 feet would finish the curve and then the straight would be gone on with. The Committee appointed by the Board to go into its financial position reported that on the completion of the preeent works there would be £17,500 available for further works. The tender of Mr C. Falliser for wharf contract No. 8 (£9863 lls 3d) wol accepted, as also that of W. H. Hargreaves for ironbark piles. “The Hail,” Tbmuia.—Mr J. W. Miles is now offering to the public a large and well selected stock of Colonial Clothing, of. a very superior class. The wearing of these tweeds having now been tested, it is a gratifying fact that they are rapidly growing in favour with all who appreciate really good articles, John Woodhead, of Milford, contractor, has filed a declaration of insolvency. A strong boy, to milk and make himself generally useful, is wanted at the Orari Station. Mr B. H. Postlethwaite invites tenders for pulling 5 acres of fiax on the Baukapuka Estate. Messrs Siegert and Fauvel, Temuka, an nounce that they are cash buyers of fowls, geese, ducks, and turkeys. Mr J. B. Wareing, Milford, invites tenders for harvesting 55 acres oats and 30 acres peas. Machinery found if desired. Mr J. Ashwell, Temuka, invites tenders for cutting, making, and stacking 25 acres of clover hay, Tenders close on the 21st instant. Mr Geo. Cliff, Winchester, invitss tenders for cutting, stocking, carting, and stacking (labour only) about 125 acres wheat, barley and oats. Tenders close on the 28th January. A Lady’s Wish.—“ Oh, how Ido wish my skin was as clear and as soft as yours I” taid a lady to a friend. 11 Yon can easily make it so,” arswered the friend. “How ?” inquired the first lady. “By using Hop bitiors, that makes pure rich blooa and blooming he.lth. It did it forme as yea observe. Bead Advt.