LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1303, 14 February 1885, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Telegraph Forms. — The Postmaster General and Telegraph Commissioner invites tenders for the supply of ten million telegraph forms, to bo printed in Nov Zealand. Tenders close at 12 o’clock nom on the 31st day of July next. Geriluinb Town Boabl.— ln another column will be found an advertisement notifying that the Geraldine Town Board Office is situated in Talbot Street anl is open from 10 a.in iill 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays in each week; Temuka Licensing Committee. The first meeting of this Committee was held last Thursday, there being present Messrs S D. Barker, J. Meyer, and J. Paterson. Mr Barker was elected Chairman, The first quarterly meeting will bo held on the 3rd of March. Gazette Notices.— Mr W. B. Tosswill is gazetted Registrar of Marriages, &c., also Vaccination Inspector, for Akaroa. Mr F. J. Kimbell is to be Official visitor to the Sunnyside Asylum, vice Mr J. E. Parker resigned. Mr R. H. Johnson is to be Inspector of Cattle, under the Diseased Cattle Act, also Registrar for Canterbury and Westland districts. Mr J.'R. Colyor is to be Patent Office agent at Ashburton. The Excursion to Timaru.— The excursion from Christchurch to Timaru on Thursday last was a great success, not less than 2000 persons taking part in it. The arrangements made for the amusement of the excursionists were much the same as last week. The tug Titan was at their disposal and was largely patronised, and a dance (with refreshments) held during the afternoon in Messrs Jonas and Bourn’s auction rooms was well attended. To this any one holding an excursion ticket was entitled to free admittance, as were also those who had subscribed towards it* cost. The beach, park, and suburbs of the town were vi»ited by great numbers, and all of them seemed thoroughly delighted with what they saw. The excursion will be repeated next Thursday.—The excursion train from Dunedin to Oamam yesterday took over 1009 passengers.

Temuka Park Board. —The ordinary monthly meeting of this Board was held in the Temuka Town Board office on Wednesday afternoon last. Present—Messrs K. P. Gray (Chairman), J. Moyer, and J. Paterson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The caretaker’s monthly report was read, considered, and approved. The Secretary said the Board’s accounts had been audited by Mr Wills, and a copy of the same forwarded to the Government Auditor. The Chairman was asked to obtain an estimate of making shutters for the grand stand and for painting the same, to call for tenders and to accept one if considered by him reasonable; also to insure the stand against fire. The Chairman and Mr Meyer were appointed rangers for the month. Accounts to the amount of £l4 12s were passed for payment, and the meeting, after the transaction of some unimportant business, adjourned. The Highland Crofters.— The Wellington} correspondent of the Press, writing on February 11th, says“ From the tenor of my telegram of a few weeks ago it will have been readily understood that although Ministers averred there was no truth in the rumour that it was the intention of the Government to send Mr Macandrew to Scotland on a mission with the object of inducing Highland crofters’ special immigration, they were inclined to view such a proposal with favour and deemed Mr Macandrew the most fitting man for such a mission. From all I can gather it would seem that Ministers have been more inclined to the proposal since a deputation waited on the Premier in Dunedin rccenily on the subject, and I understand communication between the Government and Mr Macandrow has passed, and it is not unlikely that practical effect will be given to the scheme shadowed forth last session for giving small grants to Highland crofters who might be induced to come to New Zealand. The Imperial Government will be asked to contribute towards the scheme.” The Dunedin Herald states on the best authority tli.it Mr Macandrew has no intention whatever of proceeding Homo on the Skye crofter mission.

Binding Twine.—Messrs J. Mundell and 00. draw, by advertisement, the attention of farmers to a large quantity of superior quality binding twine which they have in stock. Church Meeting; A vestry and general meeting in connection with St. Mary s Episcopalian Church, Geraldine, will be held in the Literary Institute on Monday evening, at 7.30 o’clock. The general meeting is to elect a Churchwarden in the place of MrShiers, who ins resigned. Creasing Sale.—Mr R. Glass, draper and clothier, Geraldine, has decided to retire from business, and, in order to clear out his (took, is now holding a great clearing sale, particulars anent which will be found in our advertising columns. All accounts due to Mr Glass are to be paid before the 2Sth inst,, and all accounts owing by him are to be rendered forthwith. Lawn Tennis,—We understand the Temuka Club hare verbally challenged the Geraldine Club to a match, the date of which will be fixed shortly. Messrs Pinckney and Haines, we believe, will represent the former Club, and, judging by the reputation they have brought with them from tho north, it it will be no discredit to the Geraldine representatives, should fortune not favour them in the contest. The plavers to represent Geraldine are not yet selected. Volunteer Prize Firing,—Tho following are the winners of the principal Government prizes this year Private Marshall (Ashburton), 41 points ; Captain Wolfe (Christchurch City Guards), 36 ; Lieutenant Higgins (College Rifles), 34 ; Corporal Hamilton (Sydenham Rifles), 33; Bugler Savage (Ashburton), 33; Private McNally (Temuka), 33 ; Lieut. Mellish (College Rifles), 33. e

The Grain Season. —Mr S. D. Barker has gone to work with his harvest with commendable energy. A few days ago he commenced cutting his grain, and yesterday he despatched some of it by train to Timaru. Farmers might very well copy Mr Barker’s activity ; the weather is not to be relied on, and the quicker they get through their harvest the better. Mr Barker’s grain is, wo believe, the first that has been received in Timaru this year.

The Weather. —Everyone was in hopes, farmers especially, that the splendid weather experienced last week would continue until such time as the harvest would be gathered in, but on Wednesday evening a slight rain set in from the south, and slight showers fell during the night and on Thursday. Yesterday morning the sky was obscured by heavy clouds, but as the .day wore on they broke somewhat, and a nice drying breeze was blowing most of the afternoon.

Burning of an Orphan Asylum. —News arrived in London on December 19th of the burning of the St. John’s Home for children, a Catholic orphan asylum at Brooklyn, New York. The asylum, a substantial stone structure, situated in St. Mark’s Avenue, provided education and maintenance for 800 children between two and fifteen years of age. The fire broke out in the laundry, and the spread flames rapidly. The majority of those within escaped with difficulty through the exertions of the sisters and the firemen. One sister was mortally injured by falling from a window, after having saved many lives. She died in the course of a few hours. The children were then scattered about the neighbourhood, and at first it was supposed that all were saved ; but thirteen little bodios were taken from the ruins, and it is feared that others will be found. One hundred and ten of the boys belonging to the asylum are missing. It is believed, however, that though some of them may have perished, most, if not all, of them are scattered through Brooklyn. The loss of property amounted to 300,000d015.

Rifle Match. —Oa Wednesday last a rifle match between the Scotch and English members of the Timaru Rifle Club came off at the range, Otipua. The shooting displayed was really splendid. The rifles used were the Deeley-Edge and the conditions of the match were—seven shots each at the 400, 500, and 600 yards ranges ; Wimbledon targets and scoring, which counts five points fora “bull’s-eye” four for an “inner,” three for a “magpie,” and two for an “ outer.” The Scotchmen won the match by 49 points. The following are the scores Scotch— A, J. H. Bower, 400yds. 32, 500yds, 32, 600yds. 32, total, 96 ; R. Fergusson, 32, 29, 25—86 ; J. Dow, 30, 26, 26-82 ; A. Sinclair, 30, 22, 29—81; W. Gunn, 28, 28, 22 —7B ; J. G. Macpherson, 32, 22, 17 —71 ; F. Cameron, 26, 25, 18 —69 ; W. S. Lindsay, 26, 26, 12—64; T. McNab, 7, 13, 3—23 ; grand total, 650. English—G. C. Miles, 400yds. 34, 500yds. 26, 600yds. 29, total, 89 ; A, R. Spalding, 22, 2?, 25-75 ; M. J. Godby, 26, 24, 22 —72 ; T. G, Rowley, 23, 28, 20-71 ; O. Palliser, 26, 25, 20—71 ; J. Pearson, 24, 24, 37—65 ; T. Jowsey, 23, 16, 16—55 ; Hassell, 21, 2, 13—36 ; average, 67 ; Grand total, 601.