LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1345, 26 May 1885, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Bank Holiday. —The Bank of New Zealand, Temuka, will be closed to-day. Pbizb Fietng. —The Temuka Rifles hold their annual prize firing to-morrow. Ball at Temuka. —The annual ball under the auspices of the Temuka Rifles takes place to-morrow evening.

Football. — A football match, Sydenham v. Timaru, came off in Timaru last Saturday, the visitors scoring a win by 13 poiibs to 5.

The Taueanga Election.— The contest for the Tauranga seat between Messrs Kelly and John Sheehan resulted in the return of the latter by a majority of 15 votes.

Government Life Assueance. The annual meeting of the policy holders of the N.Z. Government Life Assurance Association takes place in Wellington, to-morrow.

Holiday in Temuka. —To-morrow afternoon has been proclaimed a public holiday by the Chairman of the Temuka Town Board, in compliance with a numerously-signed requisition. Fee-Sessional Addbess.— Mr W. Roller ton, invites the electors of Geraldine to meet him in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka, on Tuesday evening next, at half-past seven. He addresses the electors at Geraldine on the following evening. The Tongaeieo.— On Saturday the s.s. Tongariro arrived at Port Chalmers from London, via Teneriffe and Capetown. She brings 171 passengers, 240 sacks mails, and 2030 tons of cargo. The passengers have all enjoyed excellent health. The voyage was made in 41 days 17 hours. Took it too Litebally. —The troubles caused by indiscreet mothers-in-law amongst young couples are proverbial. In a case heard at the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Wellington, it transpired that the mother gave the following questionable advice to her daughter. “ Whatever you do, get a house of your own, and get it in your own name. Never trust a husband!” The daughter acted on the advice, and bought a piece of land without the knowledge of her husband. That led to a juidioial separation between the husband and wife, and the breaking up of their home. —N.Z, Times.

The Queen’s Bibthdat. —The anniversary of the Queen’s Birthday falling on a Sunday this year was celebrated yesterday. —almost every place of business being closed. In South Canterbury no sports or amusements of any moment were provided, and the day passed off very quietly. A great number of “sports. ” spent the day shooting, but game was scarce and very small bags were secured. A great field day was (held in Christchurch at which Volunteers from all parts of Canterbury were present. About 40 of the Temuka Rifles went to Christchurch by special train, which left at 5 o’clock in the morning. They returned again shortly before 11 o’clock last night. Dunedin Birthday Meeting. The Birthday meeting under the auspices of the C.J.C. commenced on Saturday last, the attendance being small. The day was an unpleasant one. The Selling Hurdle race, of 80 sovs., was won by Mr Hackshaw’s Little John j the Maiden Blate, of 50 sovs., by Mr A. G. Grant’s Rocket; the Provincial Handicap of 200 sovs. by Mr P, Butler’s Tim Whifler; the Handicap Trot by Oliver, scratch (Randal, 20 secs., was first past the post but was disqualified for jostling and breaking); the Selling Race, of 50 sovs., by Mr J. Rivers’s Don Jose; and the Tradesmen’s Handicap, of 100 sovs,, by Mr Stephenson’s Captain Webster. The Ross Advocate.—We regularly receive amongst our exchanges the Ross Advocate—a paper which affords us a great deal of amusement. The sheet on which it is printed is the same size as this paper, but it never gives more than from three to four columns of reading matter. In the last issue, however, it has completely outdone itself. It came out with less than two columns of reading matter, all the remaining space being taken up with advertisements ! The price of the Advocate is fourpence, so that its reading matter costs its readers twopence per column, and as it comes out three times per week, its weekly price is one shilling. How would our readers like this paper to come out with only three columns of reading matter.

Parliamentary Union. A Parliamentary Union has been started in Timaru. It was opened last Friday night by a Speech from the Throne by the Governor, Mr R. Turnbull. There was a large attendance, and the first division resulted in the defeat of the Ministry. Could not a Parliamentary Union be got up here 1 There is now a similar institution in almost every tow in the colony, and there is no doubt but that if such a Society were got up in connection with theTemuka Mechanics’ Institute it would be the making of it. When, however, suggestions of anything of the kind have been made to the President a thousand and one rules and regulations stand in the way. It never seems to occur to him that rules are capable of being altered,

Geraldine School Committee. —The ordinary monthly meeting of this Committee will be held in the schoolroom tomorrow evening at half-past 7.

0.Y.0. Two members of the newlyformed contingent of the C.Y.C. in Geraldine, left on Saturday to attend the review at Christchurch yesterday.

The Christchurch Rages.— Saturday return tickets, available for return up to and including (he Ist June, will be issued at the various railway stations to-day.

Sale op Trees.—Messrs J. Mundell and Co. hold a large sale of fruit and forest trees to-day at the nursery of Messrs Coombs and Chapman, Geraldine. The trees are a firstrate lot, and comprise a large assortment, and the sale should attract a large attendance, especially as it is the proper season for planting.

Mb E. T- Booth’s Meeting,—Mr R. T. Booth addresses a meeting under the auspices of the Temuka Blue Ribbon Gospel Temperance Mission, in the Volunteer Hall, on Thursday evening next. Regarding Mr Booth it is necessary to say little. As a temperance orator he cannot be surpassed, and wherever he goes his meetings are crowded. The price of admission is fixed at Is.

Chabitable Aid,—One day last week the furniture of a poor widow who lives in Temuka was seized for rent and sold by auction. Not a single article was she allowed to retain. On last Friday a subscription was got up and a great deal of furniture was purchased with it at the sale. She is absolutely destitute, and has, besides, several children whom she tries to support with her earnings.

Geraldine Riples, —lt is notified by Major Newall that until further orders the Geraldine Rifle Corps will meet for recruit drill on Tuesday evenings at half-past seven, when the Government Instructor will be present to drill the men. As a largo quantity of arms arrived in Christchurch last week from Wellington, it is quite probable that the rifles for the corps will be to hand this week.

Correction. —ln our report in Saturday’s issue of the meeting of the N,Z, Industrial Exhibition Committee, held at Geraldine, a slight error occurred. A sentence beginning “It also stated that the Committee,” etc., should read : “ It was stated,” etc. The error makes the memo, from the Secretary of the Exhibition state that the Committee could not get sufficient samples of grain for an exhibit, whereas this was stated to the meeting by the Chairman.

Rise in Suo-ae.—Private telegrams received in Melbourne from London state that the sugar market is somewhat excited owing to the publication of crop statistics showing that according to estimates the world’s crop will be 425,000 to 450,000 lons less this season than last year. Telegrams also state sugar bas risen £7 per ton in London since December last. Telegraphic advices from Java also show that there is an excited feeling in the market there, and the pricej is" stated to be 25s per ton higher in Batavia. Lost their Reckoning.— At ten o’clock yesterday morning (we learn from the Guardian) Mr Elston noticed a large brig close in shore at the mouth of the Wakanui Creek, and later a boat’s crew left the vessel and approached the beach. Owing to the roughness of the surf a landing could not be effected, but by wading as far as possible into the water Mr Elston was able to bear that the vessel had lost her course, and the ere tv had been sent ashore to ascertain her whereabouts, They stated that they wished to make Timaru, and Mr Elston was able to give them rough sailing directions. On receiving these they gave three hearty cheers and returned to the vessel, which at once headed for Timaru. Accident at Pleasant Point.— On last Sunday Mr Morris, jun., of Pleasant Point, was driving out with several members of the family and some friends, and when crossing the Tengawai bridge the horse took fright at some children and bolted. Mr and Miss Morris were thrown out and received some severe contusions, and the horse still continued its mad career along the road towards home. At the gateway to the entrance of the stable the buggy came into contact with the post, precipitating the other occupants of the vehicle violently to the ground, and causing a total wreck of the buggy. A Miss Baum, who was oue of the occupants of the buggy, had her leg broken. The other, Miss Morris, escaped unhurt. Dr i Hayes was soon in attendance, and attended to the injuries sustained by the unfortunate sufferers. Attempted Incendiarism at Ashburton. Yesterday’s Guardian says “What appears to have been a determined attempt at incendiarism was discovered and defeated yesterday afternoon. About 4.45 p.m. two men had occasion to go to the back door of Mr Salek’s shop in East street. Their attention was attracted by a light appearing through the iron of the next building, occupied by Mr Carson. On closer examination they discovered a candle burning between the iron siding and the lining of the building. One of the men remained to watch the candle while the other summoned the police. Constable Smart was soon on the scene, and sent for Sergeant Felton. The police officers then made a closer examination, and found that the iron had been cut six inches across by about three inches deep, forming an aperture through which the candle had been placed in position. Three pieces of bagging saturated with kerosene were found near the candle, and a second candle, which had evidently fallen and extinguished itself, was found near the first. The burning candle had a strip of bagging about three inches wide and saturated with kerosene loosely wrapped about it, and this would have ignited in about an hour and a-half later but for the timely discovery. Had the nefarious attempt been successful nothing could have averted the destruction of a very large block of buildings and the less of much valuable property. Mr Salek is absent from home on a visit to Timaru, and Mr Carson occupies a private residence detached from the shop. The police are thoroughly investigating the matter, but at present the result of their enquiries has not transpired.”