LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1305, 19 February 1885, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Monthly Stock Salk.—Mr K. F. Grey holds his monthly stock sale at Temukft to-morrow. Released. —Power, the bushranger, has been released from Pentridge (Victoria) after serving a sentence of 15 years. , lie is now 66 years old. Exclusion Train.—The third excursion from Christchurch to Timaru takes place today. At the lime of our going to press this morning the weather was anything but propitious. Dunedin Races. —ln our advertising columns will be found the special train arrangements made for the conveyance of those intending to visit the Dunedin races, which take place next week. The Peel Forest Church. —The plaNs and specifications for the new Church at Peel Forest are to be seen till Feb, 23rd at Mr Dunlop’s store, Geraldine. Particulars may be seen in the advertisement. Temuka R.M. Court.—Four civil oases were set down for hearing at the above Court yesterday, but when the Court sat it was found that they had all been either withdrawn or settled out of Court. Messrs S. D. Barker and D. Inwood were on the Bench. Walton Flour Mill, near Pleasant Point. —The attention of farmers is directed to Mr Julius Fuller’s advertisement regarding this null. The mill has been recently placed in thorough repair by the owners, and Mr Fuller is now prepared to execute orders for gristing, crushing, and cleaning gram on the shortest notice.

Government Prize Firing. —The competition for the District Ordnance Prize Firing took place at Patiti Point, to the south of limaru, last Tuesday evening. The firing was not first-class, but as the men have very little practice this is not surprising. Three detachments competed, and that under Sergeant Hughes proved the winner. The firing could be distinctly heard in Temuka. A Burnham Escapee.— The boy James Wright, the Burnham escapee, who jumped from a train when being taken back to that institution and was severely injured about the head, will be discharged from the Ashburton Hospital in the course of a few days. The Guardian atates that a married sister of the unfortunate lad, resident at Wakanui, has arranged to take charge of him, and he will not therefore, be returned to Burnham.

Band of Hope, Geraldine. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Juvenile Band of Hope was held in the Temperance Hall on Tuesday evening, Bio. J. Brown, W.C.T. of the Welcome Retreat Lodge, presiding, A very pleasant evening was spent by the children, recitations being given by Misses Fanny Gibson, Emily Freeman and Master Trengrove, and songs by Mrs Portions, Miss Beckley and Mary Kennington.

Temuka Mechanics’ Institute.—Th» usual Committee meeting was held last Friday evening. Present—The Rev. T. A. Hamilton (in the chair), Gentleman, Ashwell, Blyth, Beri, and the Secretary, Mr L. E. Haines. The Librarian reported that £6 lls had been received for subscriptions. A discussion took place as to the advisability of closing the Institute on Sundays, with the result that Messrs Gentleman, Ashwell and the Rev. Mr Hamilton signed a requisition to call a general meeting on Thursday, the sth of March next, to consider the question. Those who are desirous of seeing the Institute closed on Sundays should therefore join at once, so that they may have a vote at the general meeting for closing it. The Monsxbk Tbout.— lt was mentioned in New Zealand paper* (says the London correspondent of the Otago Daily Times, writing on January Ist) that Mr Farr, the hon. secretary of the Acclimatisation Society, was taking Home with him a big fish of the salmon-trout kind, but the genealogy and exact species of which was a puzzle to the experts. It was 2ft long, 2ft round, and weighed 251 b ; had been caught in the Waimakariri, and conveyed in ice to the Old Country. Mr Farr proceeded with his fish to Dr Gunthu, the best authority on the subject, who at once declared it to be the true sahnofario, and the finest specimen he had even seen, so New Zealand scores another in the production of the boss brown trout of the world. J

New Zealand Industrial Exhibition. —A meeting of the Geraldine Sub-Committee appointed to further the objects of the Exhibition takes place to-morrow in the Geraldine Literary Institute, The O’Donovan Eossa Cask.— Special telegrams to the Melbourne Age state that funds are being raised for the defence of the woman Dudley who recently shot at and wounded O’Donovan Eossa. It is reported that Dudley’s father lives in Australia. Eangioba Grain Market.— There were a number of new parcels of this season’s wheat and oats offered to the buyers on Tuesday, and one or two prime samples changed bonds at, wheat 2s 6d and oats Is 6d to la 7d per bushel. The grain shown was in the very best of condition, the wheat as dry as shot.—Press.

Dunedin Training Notes.— A telegram from Dunedin yesterday states that “ the Lad has been scratched for all engage menta at the Dunedin meeting. A lot of good work was done on the tan at Forbury this morning. Wapiti and July, in part clothing, covered three miles, the last round at a strong pace. Both horses look very fit and move well, Taiaroa and Captain Webster covered a couple of miles at medium pace, Minerva and The Poet were each sent a couple of miles separately. The Auckland Cup winner looked a little above himself. Adamant went a mile with Trapper at half speed and was brought home by Caddie at top speed.' Lady Emma covered fully four miles at a slow canter*” The Geraldine and Ashburton Races.— From the Guardian w« learn that a special meeting of the Committee of the Ashburton Racing Club was held at the Club's room last Tuesday eveniog. Present—Messrs Purnell (in the chair), Thomas, Ciisp, Denshire, R. Friedlander, and Dr Leahy, A letter was read from the Geraldine Racing Club, suggesting that the Ashburton Racing Club should select some other dates in place of those already arranged for their Autumn Race Meeting, as the latter clashed with the Geraldine fixture. It was ascertained that the dates for the Ashburton Meeting had been fixed before the Geraldine programme was issued, and it was therefore resolved—“ That the dates arranged for the Ashburton Autumn Meeting be adhered to, and the Secretary be directed to write to the Geraldine Racing Club, advising this determination and the circumstances of the case.”

New Patents.—Among the new patent* Gazetted on the 12th inst. are the following : —For an invention for immovably fixing wire barbs on a single wire, by Edward West, of Oamaru, barbed wire manufacturer ; for an invention for rapidly and easily sinking holes in the earth especially applicable to sinking holes for fence-posts, and called “The Lightning Post-hole Sinker,” by William Rainbow, of Christchurch, engineer; for the Hibberd and Legge patent artificial stonemaking machine and stone, by Charles Hibberd and Edwin Newman Legge, both of Auckland; for an invention for an improved hand-grenade for extinguishing fires, by David Daggett, of No. 14, South William street, New York, United States of America 5 for an invention for threshing grain or grass seed by an improved method, thereby causing a great sating of labor : title—" Improved Grain and Grass-seed Thresher,” by Francis Henry Woodman, of Opawa, Canterbury, carpenter; for an improved wool-washing machine, by William Henry Lambert, of the Kaikorai Talley, near Dunedin, fellmonger.

Market pob New Zealand Meat.—A Mr Thompson, formerly a schoolmaster in the Marlborough district, but now tutor to the sons of the King of Siam, has written to one of the Inspectors of Schools some account of his life at Bangkok, Amongst other things he asks that there should be sent to him a few dozen tins of preserved meat, and says : —“ I want to make presents of the meat to His Majesty the First King and to his younger Brother, H.R.H. Prince Diss Narakumar. The First King is the State ; he is thoroughly and absolutely despotic, but he is an enlightened and progressive monarch. If the mutton suite the palate, ha and the nobles are sure to go in largely for New Zealand mutton. ... lam convinced that the quality of New Zealand preserved mutton only needs to be known here to bo appreciated. Mutton, so-called, when it is procurable here (which is only about once every ten days), is charged at a rate about equal to 2s English money per lb, and it is most wretched stuff—hard, tough, and with no more flavor or nourishment than well-cooked shoe-leather."

Welcome Retreat Lodob, 1.0.G.T., Geraldine. —The usual weekly meeting of this Lodge was held in the Good Templars’ Hall, on Monday evening. The Lodge was opened in due form by the W.0.T., Bro. J. Brown, and after the minutes of last meeting had been read and confirmed the Lodge was thrown open for harmony. A largo number of people assembled, the hall being nearly filled. Songs were contributed by Mr and Mrs Manning, Mrs Portions, Misses Dunlop, Soobie and Beckley, and Messrs Logan, Hamilton, Nichols, Bateman and Pratt; readings by Messrs Sherratt and Manning, and a recitation by Miss Freeman. The Good Templar Choir also rendered several glees. The songs of the various contributors were much enjoyed by everyone present. The singing of the National Anthem brought the gathering to a close. During the evening refreshments were handed round to the audience. The Committee appointed to arrange the performance are to be congratulated upon the sucoees of their efforts, especially on such short notice as had been given. The Open Lodge meetings are held monthly, and, while serving to keep up an interest in the Lodge among the members of the Order, are the means of altrac ing tho. : e to the Lodge—and perhaps ultimately inducing them to join—who would not otherwise think of doing so.

Cricket. —A match between the Timanr and Oamaru Clubs took place yesterday. The match was decided on the first innings and Timaru won easily.—A match between the Clubs of the Timaru High School and Temuka District High School has been arranged for Saturday next.—A match between Canterbury and Otago players takes place at Dunedin to - morrow. The Canterbury players left for the scene of the match yesterday.

Temuka Young Men’s Club.— A general meeting of the above was held on Tuesday last, February I7tb, in the Club-room. The Rev. T. A. Hamilton, President of the Club,, occupied the chair. The minutes of last meeting were read and adopted, on the motion of Mr Russell, seconded by Mr Cooper. The Secretary, Mr Lucas, then tendered his resignation as Secretary of the Club, owing to Lis leaving the district. Mr Russell proposed, and Mr T. Radford seconded—“ That the Hon. Secretary’s resignation be accepted, but that the Club Very much regret his departure,” Mr Russell then proposed Mr Lavery as Secretary of the Club, which was seconded by Mr G. Prattley and carried unanimously. After a long discussion re Cricket Club, it was decided to call a meeting of all members on Tuesday night next, 24th inat., to receive the report of the Cricket Committee. Mr Mogridge proposed, and Mr Russell seconded—“ That a farewell entertainment and lea be given to the late Secretary on Monday, March 2nd, and that a Committee, consisting of Messrs Lavery, Nicholas, Prattley and the mover, be appointed to carry out and make the necessary arrangements.” Carried, The meeting then terminated with a hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman.

District Court, Timaru.— Last Monday and Tuesday .the District Court, Timaru, was occupied in hearing the case of the Colonial Bank of Hew Zealand v, the Timaru Fish Company —claim £142 2s, Mr O. T. H. Perry (of Messrs Perry and Perry), for plaintiff; Mr J. W. White (of Messrs White Smithson, and Raymond), for defendant. The case arose out of the Fish Company agreeing in June last to hire from the Colonial Bank for two months the cutter Hero, at a rental of £ls per month. The vessel was then in Wellington, and on her way down she was caught in a storm, dismasted, and otherwise injured. On the 18th August the plaintiff applied for the delivery of the vessel within seven days at Dunedin, in as good order and condition as when chartered, but this had not yet been obtained the vessel still laying at Akaroa injured and unfit for sea. The claim was made up as follows :—Two months’ rent from 16th June to 16th August, at £ls per month, £3O ; two monthly payments in lieu of insurance, £4 4s; estimated cost of putting Hero in good repair, £7O ; cost of taking her to Dunedin, £25; loss of vessel’s services through being unfit to proceed to sea at the termination of the charter party, £3O ; total, £159 4s ; less one month’s rent (£ls) and one payment in lieu of insurance, £2 2s; total £l7 2s—leaving £142 2s amount sued for. The defence was, shortly, a denial of ajl the material allegations, that the alleged charter-party was illegal and not binding, that the Hero was in an unseaworthy state, and that the plaintiff did not use means to send her to sea in a seaworthy condition. The evidence taken was most yoluminous and conflicting, and, after Counsel had addressed the Court, it was agreed to submit certain issues to the jury, who, after forty minutes’ deliberation, answered them as follow Was the cutter Hex-o in such an unworthy state at the time the charter-party was entered into that the lives of parties then proceeding to sea in her were endangered ?—Yes, Was she so to the knowledge of the Manager of the Colonial Bank ? —There is no evidence to show. Waa it the purpose of the parties to this action, in entering into the charter-party, to send the vessel to sea?—Yes. What amount of damages were suffered by the Hero through perils of the 3ea ? —£s3. What would be a fair charge for taking the Hero to Dunedin?— £25. It was agreed that legal argument on these issues should take place at the next ordinary sitting of the Court.—The case of Samuel Benny (Captain of the Hero) v. the Timaru Fish Company, claim £lO3 10s lOd for wages &c., was then taken, and after hearing the evidence, His Honor gave judgment for plaintiff for £34 17s 2d, less £26 10s already paid to plaintiff, without costs. A Good Account — ” T» sum it up, sir long years of bed-ridden sickness and suffering, costing £4O per year, total £240, all of which was stopped by three bottles of. Hop Bitters taken by my wife, who has done her own housework for a year since without the loss of a day, and I want everybody to know it for their benefit.”— John Weeks, Butler. Find Advt.