LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1344, 23 May 1885, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Bank Holidays.—The Bank of New Zealand, Temuka, will be closed on Monday and Tuesday next. The Nightingale.—The Vice-Admiralty Court in Sydney have ordered the sale of the schooner Nightingale and her cargo. Fdbnituee Sale.—lf the claim is not previously settled, Mr K. F. Gray holds a sale of household furniture to-day, in the Temperance Hall, Temuka, at 1.30 p.m.

Peopebty Tax Valcebs.—The attention of those intending to apply for the position of Valuers under the Property Tat Act is directed to an announcement in our advertising columns,

Gebaldine Town Boabd's New Oitioe. —This building was finally passed by the architect yesterday and may be said to be completed, only a few finishing touches being required inside.

Teain Abbangements.—ln our advertising columns will be found an announcement from the General Manager of the N.Z, Bailways of importance to those intending to travel by rail during the next few days.

A Poor Auction Sale.—An auction sale of the bankrupt stock of' Mr Thomas Talbot *vas held at "Waitohi last Thursday, but was a failure. There were only a few persons present. We just point out this to show that unless such sales are advertised in this paper they are bound to be a failure. The sale above referred lo was advertised in the Timaru papers, and its failure proves how few are their readers in this district. Auction Sales.—Messrs J. Mundell and Co. advertise particulars of the sale of Mr Jas. Grigg'a stock and property at Orari, and particularly draws the attention of buyers and speculators to this sale, as Mr Grigg is leaving the district and the stock and plant will be sold without reserve.—On Thursday, 28th mat., they will sell at the ir rooms a half-acre section and4-roomed house fronting on Talbot street. —The next monthly stock sale will be held at the Geraldine yards on Wednesday, June 3.

Election op a Maoei Member. —The writ for the election of a member to represent the Southern Maori Electoral Dictrict in the House of Representatives, rendered vacant owing to Mr Taiaroa being called to the Legislative Council, has been issued. Nominations are to be made at Kaiapoi on th« 3rd June, and the polling is to take place at the several polling places on June 10th. The writ is returnable by the 19th June. The polling place for this district is the Courthouse, Temuka.

White Woodhens.—The Canterbury Times says:—««Mr F. Jiyans, of Blenheim, informs us that a rara avis in the shape of a pure white wood-hen was caught alive on the Molesworth run, on the Canterbury spur, and is now in his possession. It was captured after a great deal of trouble by George Lane, a shepherd in the employ of Mr Carter." A white wood-hen was caught on the Four Peaks run some years ago, which we believe was set to the Ohristchurch Museum. Competition.— At a recent meeting of a public body in this dittricfr, the question of insuring their new offices was brought up. There were no less than six insurance agents in tbe room at the time—four taking an active part in the discussion—and as may be imagined the discussion was rather amusing to an onlooker, especially the delicate way in which some of them hinted at the special advantages of their companies. After the amount had been agreed upon, the worthy chairman magnanimously suggested it should be given to their Overseer's office—a very magnanimous offer indeed it turned out to be when the amount of commission be would get was figured out—a few pence.

N.Z. Industbul Exhibition.—A meeting of the local Committee was held m the Literary Institute, Geraldine, yesterday. There were present—Messrs E. H. Pearpoint (Chairman), J. Cunningham, W. Coltman, and Dr Fish. A memo, wai read from the Secretary of the Exhibition, Wellington, notifying that the space applied for by the local Committee for the grain exhibits had been allotted. It also stated that the Committee bad been unable to obtain sufficient samples to make an exhibit. The Secretary, Mr Cunningham, was therefore instructed to write to Wellington to the effect that the space will not be required. This being all the business to bo transacted by the Committee it was then dissolved. The exhibits from Geraldine will be cheese from the Dairy Factory and pictures from Captain Temple.

I Cruelty to Animals.—The police are taking vigorous action against all whom they detect illtreating animals under their control, and the Justices appear to be ably seconding their efforts by inflicting substantial penalties. At the R.M. Court, Timaru, last Thursday a man named Wm. McCully was fined £5 for working a horse with sore shoulders. At the Police Ceurt, Christchurch, on the previous day John Pepper ill was fined £1 and costs for keeping a number of fowls in a box without sufficient food and water, and at the same Court on Thursday a man named Gemmell was fined £1 and costs (including solicitor's fee, twe witnesses' expenses, etc.) for cruelty to a calf. All the accused were severely reprimanded by the Bench.

I Temtjka Rifles. Owing to orders received from Christchurch to attend the field-day there next Monday, the prizo firing and ball of the Temuka Rifles will be adjourned until t the following Wednesday. The order to attend the parade at Christchurch has come rather awkward on them. They had made all their arrangements for their prize-tiring and ball on Monday, but had to postpone both until Wednesday. Yesterday afternoon they went about to obtaio signatures of townspeople to a requisition to proclaim next Wednesday from noon a holiday, and the Chairman of the Town Board has complied with the request. All the members of the Temuka Rifles are requested to parade at 4 a.m. on Monday to meet a special train which leaves for Christchurch about 4.30. Each man iB to provide himself with haversack,||water bottle, and a meal.

Ihe Oamabtj Election.—The election at; Oamaru on Wednesday resulted in the return of Mr HMop. Mr Hislop polled 439 votes, and Lord Eeidhaven 376. Welcome Jack,—The New Zealand horsa Welcome Jack was offered at auction recently in Melbourne. £1350 was bid, but he was passed in at £ISOO. Another Attempt.—lt is understood that the police in Wellington are about to institute proceedings under the Gaming and Lotteries Act against the promoters of racing sweeps and consullations. Geealdine Town Boabd.—ln another column will be found the statement of accounts of the Board for the year ending March 21st 1885, duly audited by the provincial auditor, Mr J. M. Ollivier. Eaukapuka Bush Resebte.—lt is notified in our advertising columns that Mr C. E. Sherratt has been appointed ranger of this reserve, and that any persons removing timber will be liable to a penalty of £SO.

PbeSBVTEBIAN PABISH GATHEBINa.—We would remind our readers that the annual parish gathering in connection with the Presbyterian Church, takes place on Monday evening in the Oddfellow* 1 Hall, Geraldine. Oub Abmed Cbuisebs.—Owing to the peaceful nature of the news received, the defence preparations have been eased off. The Maesalia is lying in the stream at Sydney, with all her armament aboard. The Lusitania is nearly oompleted. It is stated that these vessels, with the Coptic, have been chartered for six months at £SOOO a month.

A Severe Dbou&ht.—The scarcity of water in Sydney is now great, and the question is causing coniiderable anxiety. There is still no appearance of rain, and the Botany swamps here become mere mud holes. Such a drought has not been experienced for thirty years. Every precaution is being used to conserve the small supply still remaining. Typhoid feyer is very prevalent, and & greater number of cases have been reported than in any previous year.

Pleasant Point Libeibt.—The Pleasant Point Library has made great progress during the past year. At the annual meeting in 1884; it was stated thtre were 12 members—now there are 67. In the reading room cheis and draughts are provided, and these have proved a great source of attraction, and lately a bagetetle board has been added to the amusements and it is largely used. Al- - tbe Pleasant Point Library u in a very flourishing condition. Gebaldine Riples.—As there is room for a few more recruits in this corps to make the strength up t» 60—that number of arms having been sent for—those who intend to join should do so at once, in order to become as efficient as possible before the inspection parado next month. All the men have now been put through their facing! and are pick* ing up their drill very quickly, and in a short time a great improvement should be noticeable in tbeh\appearance.

Manufacture op Riple Ammunition nr N.Z.—ln our last issue it was stated that the Government had accepted the tender of a Captain Whitney, of Auckland, for tho supply of 500,000, Muntz-metal Snider ball ammunition. The following additional particulars as to who Captain Whitney is, and how he intends to carry out his contract, will doubtless prove interesting i—Captain Whitney is an ex-officer in the army with private means. He is the representative of a num ber of other Auckland gentlemen, including G. Schwartz and W. H. Hazard, who intend forming a Company to be callsd the New Zealand Cartridge Company, for the purpose of carrying out their contract with Government, which is for the space of three years ; that is, the Government bind themselves to purchase rifle ammunition only from ths contractor. A portion of the machinary will be made in the colony, it being tbe intention of the promoters to encourage local industry as much as possible. The consumption of Snider ball ammunition in the colony for Volunteers for practice is 1,000,000 rounds. It is intended to use powder manufactured at the Dunedin Powder Mill, and should it prove as good as represented, the Cartridge Company will use many thousand pounds of it yearly.—Mr Jas. Hurst who has for many years past made the scientific manufacture of explosives his special study, on Wednesday forwarded to the Under-Secretary for Defence a sample of gun-cotton manufactured by him, after General Von Tempskey's process.

Presentation.—On Thursday evening last Mr James Scott, «1,A., late Head Master of the Timaru Public School, was the recipient of a purse of sovereigns and a marble clock—the latter being presented on behalf of the Timaru Debating Society. There were about 60 persons present, Mr W. Ziesler occupying the chair. Mr A, Halkett-Dawson, M.A., of the High School presented the purse of sovereigns, and Mr Davidson the clock. Both made short speeches eulogising the many good qualities of Mr Scott, aud stating how severely his dedeparture from Timaru would be felt. Mr Scott briefly returned thanks. £Te stated that he was afraid all the good qualities attributed to him did not exist, but for all that he did not undervalue the expressions of the speakers, as he kDew they came from the heart. He was sorry to leave Timaru, where he had lived many years and seen works of great magnitude carried out. It was hard to part with so many old friends and associations but it had to be done. He was very proud of the practical proofs of real friendship that had been bestowed upon him, and thanked his friends heartily for them. Mr Zeisler, and Mr Evans having spoken Mr, Scott was taken leave of by all present, and the proceedings terminated.

The Local Papeb.-—Mr W. J. Steward? M.8.R., who for the last five years has occupied the position of Editor of the Waimate Times, has severed his connection vith that paper. He purchased tha paper recently from the Company that owned it, but only carried it on for a couple of months, when he sold it to Messrs Wilson Bros., of Cambridge, Auckland. In his parting address, Mr Steward says :—" Wo would point out to those who wish to see a thorougb.lv good local paper in Waimate that as much depends upon the public as upon the proprietors, for without hearty and liberal support no journal can thrive, and the community that starves out its local organ will most-assuredly suffer in its turn for lack of the vigorous advocacy of its interests which can only be looked for at the hands of a local journal." Some communities take this view of the matter, and put all they can in the local paper's way, but there are some exceptions to the rule. We know of such exceptions ; in fact, we know where the local paper, literally speaking, gets more kicks than halfpence. It often happens that unless the local paper is equal in size to the outside papers people deem it unworthy of support. The quality of its articles, the industry displayed in the collation of its local news, the"attention it pays to local subjects, go for nothing unless it is equally as large ts papers printed in large oontres of population : for size, and not quality, is the feature which commends it to a great many*

GOYBENMBNT LIFB ASSUBANCB ASSOCIA-TION.—PoIicy-holders are reminded that the annual meeting of this Association takes place in the Atbenteum Hall, Wellington, on Wednesday next, when the annual report, balance-sheet, and revenue account will be presented. A Successful Surgical Operatton.— We are glad to notice that Thomas Gilbert, whcO about five weeks ago got his foot cut off in Mr White's threshing mill, has so far recovered as to be able to get about. There is no doubt but that Gilbert owes a debt of gratitude to Dr Hayes. It would be impossible for any medical man to treat him with greater care or attention, and the readiness with which the man has been able to get about again shows the skill that was brought to bear on the case. Dr Hayes is rather fond of horse-raciog, but he denied himself the pleasure of attending the last Timaru Races, because he did not like to leave the man uncared for ao long. Dr Hayes deserves credit for the care, attention and skill he gave to thi3 case. We understand that a subscription is being got up for Gilbert, and that it is baing liberally subscribed to. Wbll-Madb Buttbb.—A New York contemporary gives the following remarkable story:—Fifty years ago the Jupp family, famous Hudson Yalley butter makers of that day, occupied the farm now belonging to Charles M'Chesney, near Guilderland station. Mrs Jupp's butter was always packed in peculiarly-shaped earthen crocks, and commanded a high price in the Albany and other markets. Before sanding a crouk of butter to market it was her custom to lower it into a well on the premises which was noted for its very cold water. Mrs Jupp would leave the butter hanging in the well for several hours, and when taken out it would be as hard and cold as ice. One day in 1834 she was lowering a crock of butter into the •well, when the rope broke and the crock fell totha bottom. No effort was ever made to recover it. For the first time in its history this well became almost dry during the recent long drought in this vicinity. A few days ago Mr M'Chemey was cleaning the well out, when he found the crock Mrs Jupp had lost fifty yean ago. In taking the crock from the well Mr M'Chesney accidentally broke it. It was about. one-quarter full of butter, which wai as solid and sweet as it was the day it was put down, half a century ago. WANTED—A MINISTEB.—A correspondent of the American Congregationalist puts at the head of his article " Wanted—A Minister, " and discourses thus:—" A talented man—a powerful and brilliant preaoher, whese sermons shall be neither too long nor too short. A young man preferred, who shall bring the actual experience of a large pastorate. We do not wish t» take the pastor away from another church, but we want a man who has not left his' last place' and does not desire to. This is important; for if a candidate appears who has recently left a charge or desires to, we are suspicious that there is something wrong about him. We want a good-looking man, features regular, carriage dignified. Size—this is important; he must be of full stature, for our church is new and the pulpit furnished heavy, and a good height and full number of pounds avoirdupois are essential, that the minister correspond with the surroundings. He must be scrupulously careful regarding his dress. One candidate was not liked recently because his necktie was tied a little on one side. It was felt that it was not accidental, • for it was just so in the afternoon.' We want a spiritually-minded man—one anxious and earnest in the salvation of souls ; but be must be very discreet, and never say anything to hurt any one's feelings. He must never forget the dignity of his office. As a church we are well-to-do, but when it comes to the question of salary we are economical. Parsonage none. For eight years and more we have been praying for a pastor, and at last feel obliged to advertise. Address Congregational Church, Massachußsetts." Tetjth and Sobers ess.—What is the best " family medicine in the world to regulate the bowels, purify the blood, remove costiveness and biliousnets, aid digestion, and stimulate the whole system? Truth and soberness compel us to answer American Co.'s Hop Bitters, being pure, perfect and harmless.— Bead Advt.

Tenders close on Monday next for painting the Temuka Hotel. Mr John Peterson, Springfield, Temuka, invites tenders for cleaning and deepening two drains.