LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1293, 22 January 1885, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Geraldine Post Office. —Mr Finch, the Postmaster of Geraldine, haring obtained three months’ leave of absence, his position is being temporarily filled by Mr Sergeant, of the Christchurch Post Office. Wool Sale.—Mr Geo. Shirtcliffe, the manager of the Canterbury Farmers’ Cooperative Association (limited), announces that they are now receiving wool for their second sale of the season, which takes place on the 29th January next. St. Mart’s Parish Festival, Geraldine. —We would again remind our readers that the annual festival and Sunday School treat in connection with St. Mary’s Church will take place in the Domain to-day, and should the day be fine the gathering ought to be as successful as in formei years, Registration of Dogs. —ln our advertising columns the Clerk to the Geraldine County Council publishes the names of those persons within the County authorised to collect the dog tax for 1885. He also imimates that after the Ist February the police will prosecute the owners of all unregistered dogs. Harbour Board Election, —The Returning Officer for the Temuka Boad District intiraa'es through our advertising columns that the election of a member to represent that Road District on the Timaru Harbor Board will he held on the 9th February. Candidates must be nominated before noon on the 30th January. The Timaru Public School.— At a meeting of the Timam School Committee on Tuesday evening it was resolved —“ That seeing the Board request the Committee to reconsider their recommendation re second master, the Committee leave the matter to the Board to do the best they can in the interests of the school.” • School Treat at South Orabt.— The treat in connection with the South Orari School takes place to-morrow, and the Committee hope to see present the whole of the family of every child attending the schoo’. Under these circumstances the attendance should be a large one, and every endeavor will be made to make the gathering a pleasant oneAcclimatisation of the Australian Laughing Jackass. —Mr Angus Macdomld I has just I in ned out a lot of these birds in the Raukrpuka Bush—some were tuned out a few years ago, but they did not increase, bting either shot or going away. It is hoped better luck will this time a'tend Mr Macdonald’s i (forts *o acclimatise such a harmless and u.-eful bird. An advertisement in reference to them appears in another column. Accident at the Point.—The team of a man named James Rogerson at Pleasant Point b died while the dray to which they were alt died was being loaded at the railway sfalion. Rogerson caught the reins, but fell and was dragged some distance, and when picked up was unconscious, Hu was attended by Drs Haves and Macintyre who lound him to be sul £ 1-ng from s'iylit coneussjon of the brain, arm o r eatly bruised. He died yesterday.

Geraldine Young Men’s Club.— The members of the Geraldine Young Men’s Club are making efforts to secure the attendance of Mr Simmonds of Timaru at the Club room on each alternate Saturday to teach members the noble art of self-defence. visited the Club room last Saturday and gave some lessons in boxing which so pleased the members that they consider the above course advisable. Sacked Concert at Hilton. —A sacred concert will be held in the sahoolroom, Hilton, to-morrow evening in aid of the funds of the ' Sunday school. The services of well known singers from Temukaand Geraldine have been secured and wa can confidently promise a musical treat to the Rakabu residents. As the object for which the funds are required is one which all people should do their utmost to aid we trust to see a good attendance. A Warning. —A warning to those in the habit of drowning animals in creieks used hi the public, and leaving the bodies therein to fester, will be found in the case of the Police v. Spillane, which came before the Court in Temuka yesterday, Spillane was charged with having drowned a dog in the Sod Town creek, and admitted having done so, but urged that he did not know he wa* committing an offence. In fining him ss, the Bench remarked that he had rendered himself liable to a fine of £5, and it is to this that special attention is directed, as the offence—a most disgusting one—is very common. The Timaru High School. —At a special meeting of the Timaru High School Board of Governors’ on Tuesday the following resolutions, moved by the Her. W. Gillies, were carried : —“ That the proposal in the Rectors annual report re workshop shed for the boys be referred to the Committee to report thereupon “ That plans and specifications for a swimming bath be obtained “That the Re*tor be requested to make arrangements for giving the girls more of drill and calisthenic exercises than has been done in the pastand “ That a Committee be appointed to report on the practicability of Saturday cooking classes in connection with the school.” The Temuka Linseed Factory,—Probably oparations will be resumed at the above factory next week. A good deal of the linseed grown by the Company has been pulled and carted to the Factory, and the work of taking off the seed will take place at once. After that retting will be commenced and then the work of dressing it. We understand that the flax crop has turned out j splendidly this year and that as (here are ' about 100 acres the factory will be kept pretty busy for a good part of the year. After this the native flax will be taken up, so that the Factory will be kept working all the year round. The Weather. —At Geraldine yesterday morning, after two day’s line weather, a sou’-westercame up, which lulled down at 12 o’clock and a smart shower fell. Rain fell with more or leas force till three o’clock, when the wind veered round to the north-east, bringing with it a . heavy shower which quickly tilled the side channels on the streets. It continued to rain till a late hour, when it cleared up. In Temuka similarly unseasonable weather was experienced, rain falling heavily until shortly after eleven o’clock. It is to be hoped the weather w ill take a turn for the better, for at present the prospects of a fine harvest look very gloomy, * Geraldine Floral and Horticultural Society. —A meeting of the above Society was held in the Oddfellows’Hall last Monday evening, Mr J. Pye occupying the chair. The report of the Secretary showed that a sum of £lB 6s had been paid away in prizes. Accounts to the amount of £2B were passed for payment, and a sum was voted as remuneration for the services of the Secretary. It was resolved—“ That a vote of thanks be accorded to Mr Mundell for having acted as auctioneer on the evening of the show.” It was also resolved —“ That a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to the Treasurer and Secretary for the able manner in which they carried out their respective duties in connection with the recent Show ; also to Mr Patrick for his assistance in taking money at the door, and to the judges for their services.” After having discussed some minor matters the meeting adjourned. Blue Ribbon Meeting.— A well attended meeting was held in the Rangitata ✓ Island Schoolroom on Tuesday the 20bh inat. Mr Buxton occupied the chair, and as usual spoke in a very able manner. Speeches were also made by Messrs Anderson, Grainger, Walls and Wright. Several of Sankej and Moody's hymns were sung at intervals during the evening by the audience, ably accompanied by Mr T. Buxton on the American organ. A duet x-endered by Miss S. Grainger and sMr Ellis met with well merited applause. At the close of the meeting a Gospel Temperance Society was formed, when the following gentlemen were duly elected a Committee: —Messrs Grainger, Wright, Buck, Roskruge, Buxton, and Watts, with Mr T. Buxton as Secretary. It is expected the work will be carried on more regularly now the Society is formed. Several persous donned the blue ribbon, after which the meeting was as usual duly closed with prayer, The Bridge Near Dr Fish’s. An early start was made yesterday morning by a gang of workmen under Mr 0. , E. Sherratt, Overseer to the Town Board, to put the new top on the above bridge, and it was expected that the work would be sufficiently forward to allow of traffic going over this morning. It is a mutter for wonder that a serious accident has not occurred on the old bridge, as most of the cups and bearers were completely rotten. The soundest of the bearers were the two outer ones, and the planking was in fair condition, and this doubtless accounts for the bridge carrying the traffic so long. The piles are fairly sound and will support the new top for seme years. The old bridge has done good service, having been built 13 years ago, the timber used in its construction being black pine. Resident Magistrate’s Sitting at Geraldine. —The Resident Magistrate’s day for silting in Geraldine has been altered times lately to suit the convenience of soli? citors attending from Timaru that few people know when the Court sits, and if there are three or four people standing at the gate opposite Hie Courthouse someone is sure to ask if it is Court day. The Court day for some time past has been Wednesday, and this day not always suiting it was altered by the Magistrate lo Tuesday, and was held this week on that day. It is now found out that Tuesday is ttvA r gular Court day in Timaru, and the legtW' gentlemen, of course, cannot come out. Mr Bad leley has now altered the Court day to Monday, and the next sitting is fixed for the 2nd of February, subject to its being convenient. Surely it is time a day was fixed permanently and the interests of the public studied, for great inconvenience and loss of lime has been caused to many coming from a j distance who had not been notified of the change in the day of sitting.