LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1347, 30 May 1885, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Grain Season.— The number of sacks of grain received by rail at iimaru up to the 22nJ inst., was 139,387, and by road 50,233, making a grand total of 189,669. Football.—Members of the Temukn Football Club are requested to meet at Yelvin’s Store to-day at, 2.30, for the purpose of proceeding to Winches'er, where a scratch match will bo played.

Trial of Disc HhbßOWS.—Farmers and others are reminded that, a trial of a new stylo of disc harrows takes place 10-day, at 1 o’clock, on the farm of Mr Eobt. Taylor, near the residence of Dr Fish, Geraldine. Messrs J. Mundell and Co. are the agents. Sporting. —At the N.Z. Grand Steep’echaso Meeting on Wednesday, the fol owing events were run besides those published in our list issue : —Tallr-ho Handicap, Hon. R. Rodney’s Berrington ; Grand National Cavalry Race, Corporal Brown’s Haid Times ; Consolation Handicap, Mr W. Profltt’s Scrutineer.

Mr Booth. —According to the North Otago Times Mr Booth, the Temperance lecturer, will not now visit Temuka, Timaru or Ashburton, but passes on to Wellington, where be gives addresses. He promised, if possible, to return to Oamaru in 12 months Be was presented with £25 in Oamaru, the surplus over expenses from contributions in connection with the temperance mission in that place. Entebtainhent at Temuka.—Next Monday evening a grand musical and dramatic entertainment will be given in the Volunteer Hull, Temuka, in aid of the organ fund of St. Savioui’s Church. The first part of the entertainment will consist of a musical melange, and the second of a mirth-exciting farce entitled “ He Laughs Best who Laughs Last.” Altogether a first-rate evening’s amusement is foreshadowed in the programme.

Another OmsEEESHip,— The Waimate County Council having decided to dispense with the services of their engineer and employ an overseer, invited applications for the post, and received no less than 41. In Committee this number was reduced to four, and the Council resolved to hold a special meeting on the sth June to decide who is to got the appointment. Messrs W. J. Black of Waimate, J. S. Bruce of Balcairn, B. Pearce of Ashburton, and R. B. Bristed of Oamaru, are the gentlemen between whom the contest now lies. Novel Contest. —A contest of a novel character (says the Press) took place on Monday last, in the Colombo road, Sydenham, between Wm. Wilkie and Charles Roderick, both local men. The contest in question consisted in the picking up of 100 potatoes which had been laid at a distance of one yard from each other, and placing them in a basket. The distance travelled 'was 5f miles 227 yards, and was won by Wilkie (who led from the start), in the very fair time of 29min. 30aac. Both men fell several times. Mr Walls, of Sandridgo Hotel, acted as umpire.- It is contemplated to arrange another match shortly for £lO a-side, to again start from Sandridge Hotel, Colombo road, Sydenham. JJaiet Factory. —The Edendale Dairy Factory has for the last six months been turning out at the rate of half a ton of cheese a day. There is at the present time about 40 tons on the premises, that being the usual quantity kept in stock. It is kept until three or four months old. The whole production of the season has been taken by a Melbourne firm at s£d per lb. The farmers are now very regular in their supply of milk. The season’s average supply is equal to 400 cows. The Company owns about 400 cows and 300 pigs. It is stated that the whey is not given to the pigs until it is soured, as, contrary to the opinion usually entertained by farmers, it is better for them when in that condition. —Bruce Herald.

Large Jewel Robbeby.—A daring jewel robbery was perpetrated some time on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning at Jenness’ jeweller’s shop, Wellington. The robbers effected an entrance at the back of the building by cutting out a panel of the door and then turning the key. They carried a locally-manufactured lantern which had been arranged so as to bo darkened. They took 29 gold watches, 40 silrer watches, 20 solid gold alberts, 15 English alberts, 20 ladies’ gold alberts, 40 to 42 gold necklets, 24 silrer necklets, 12 laiies’ silver alberts, 6 dozen silver rings, 12 gold brooches and earrings (including five diamond sets valued from £3 to £3 ss), 12 gold and diamond scarf pins. The total loss is estimated at between £ISOO and £IBOO.

Horse Flesh as Food,— A sale of horse flash as human food in England as a substitute for beef is a new experience, and one which may be learnt with mingled feelings by moat people. That it is proved to be largely on the increase may be taken for granted, when the corporation of Manchester solicits an enquiry on the part of the Local Government Board, and its petition is conceded. The Butchers’ Association of Manchester and Salford may exaggerate, perhaps, in declaring that upwards of a hundred horses are slaughtered every week for food ; but the market inspectors support them more or less. However, that it is unsuitable, in conditions, for human food need not be feared, for, according to a scientific contemporary, it is best fitted in every way for the use of man, and our forefathers, according to all accounts, loved it especially.

New Song.— We have received from the publishers, Messrs Q. B. West and Co., a new song entitled “ The Old Flag ” ; words by Mr Yinoent Pyke, M.H.8., and the music by Mr G. R. West. On the whole the song is very fair. It has faults, however, which might easily have been remedied bad the poet bestowed a little more labor on it. Mr Pyke could, we are convinced, have done much better than he has done —if be could not he oufht not to have touched it, for the words are certainly unworthy of the theme. The opening lines, “Only a bit of bunting, only a tattered rag” are very common-place, but they are even better than the nursery-rhyme style adopted in the third verse, viz. : “ Three crosses in the Union, Three crosses in the Jack.” Here there is evidence of a labored effort to jerk into the space all the writer has to say, and a liberty is taken which is not at all allowable. A person ignorant of all concerning it would think from reading this that there were really two flags, one called the Union and the other culled the Jack, and that there weie three crosses in each of them. These lines are open to much ridicule, but we shall not subject them to it. The second verse is the best. There is in this a few lines which breathe the spirit of freedom and independence characteristic of the British, but the balance of the song is inferior from a poetic point of view. The music is certainly the best part of it, but it lacks the soulstirring ring of a national song. It is a good, jolly, drinking song, but can never claim to a place beside such old patriotic songs as “ Rule Britannia,” “ The Men of Harlech,” etc. As a pleasant, easily-sung song, however, it is bound to attain some popularity, although the workmanship of Mr Pyke is not at all up to the mark. 1

The JKecent Alleged Murder at Geraldine. —We understand that Trengrove will be will be tried before Justices at Geraldine next week, as it is not usual to commit a man lor trial upon the evidence taken at a Coroner’s inquest. Billiards.—A game of billiards was played at the Crown Hotel, Geraldine, on Thursday evening, between Messrs D. Andrews and H. Parker, 500 up, for £5 ii aide, and resulted in a win for the former by 36 points. A good deal of interest was taken in the game, about forty people being present towards the conclusion of the game. Appeal Court. —The Appeal Court sat yesterday morning at Wellington and delivered judgment in the case of Queen v. Buckley (Christchurch). The conviction was affirmed.—ln Begins v. Waring Taylor, the first conviction was quashed. In the second case the conviction was upheld, end Taylor will be brought up for sentence at the next criminal session of the Supreme Court.—ln the case National Bank v. Mee (Timaru), the Court granted a rule absolute for a new trial. Successful Sale. Messrs J. Mundell and Co. held an extremely successful sale on the farm of Mr J. Gregg, Orari, yesterday. The attendance was good, and the bidding spirited, pigs fetching a splendid price. As an instance of how things were sold we may mention that wheat fetched 2s 81 per bushel, which is about as much as can be got in Timaru, carriage paid. The land was bought in at £l4 per acre. There is nothing like a clearance sale for good prices, and another thing which may be mentioned is that local auctioneers can sell as advantageously as big ones from a distance.

Accident. —Mr Fauvel, of the firm of Siegert and Fauvel, met with an accident yesterday, which however, considering the circumstances, fortunately resulted in not very serious consequences. He was getting into the trap at Mr Cunningham’s, on the Waitohi road, when the horses started off and bolted. Mr Fauvel was thrown heavily to the ground, and had his ankle sprained, but fortunately not seriously. The horses galloped away, until they came to a standstill of their own accord about four or five miles further on. No damage was done to either horses or trap.

The Ashburton Woollen Factory.— The Ashburton Guardian learns that the preliminary arrangements connected with the establishment of the new Woollen Factory Company have been completed, and the undertaking placed on a very satisfactory basis. The Bank of: Australasia have been appointed bankers to the Company, and the capital subscribed is sufficient to ensure the commencement of operations, which is only delayed for a supply of raw material. A very strong directorate has been secured, and the success of this long delayed industry is now assurred.

Perpetual Leases. According to the Oamaru Mail, the following petition is being forwarded to the Government by the settlers of the Upper Waitaki“ We, the undersigned residents and settlers ia Hakateramea, South Canterbury, pray that you will cause to be thrown open for settlement a block of 15,000 acres under the perpetual lease system. The land referred to is the southern portion of the Hakateramea run, at present leased by the Government to the New Zealand and Australian Land Company, and adjoining the Hakateramea Talley settlement. The boundaries of the portion we desire to have opened for settlement would be along the front of the run and rnnning parallel with the Hakateramea Talley settlement for seven miles, and then in a north-west line to Coal Creek, said creek to be the boundary on that side, with the Waitaki river on the West. Your petitioners would point out that this land is particularly well adapted for and would make an excellent settlement under the perpetual-lease system, in blocks of the maximum size of 640 acres. Your petitioners, therefore, earnestly hope that, with a view to the permanent settlement of the waste lands of the Crown with an industrious class of bona fide ssttlers, you will at the earliest possible time cause the said block of land to be opened for settlement.”

Timaru Harbor Board. —A Bill to empower the Timaru Harbor Board to raise a further loan of £IOO,OOO will be submitted to next Parliament. The Board will have power under the new Bill to levy a rate on the rateable value of all the property within the harbor district, but it may delegate its powers for collecting the rates to local bodies. The following memorandum, by the Chairman of the Hsrbor Board, is attached to the BillThe audited accounts of the Bhard to the 31st December, 1884, show an excess of assets over liabilities of £128,627 19s Bd, and that the revenue ef the Board for the year 1884, exclusive of receipts from interest, was £6323 Is Bd. The sum of £IOO,OOO, for which authority is asked to borrow, is required for the further prosecution of the harbor works, for which the sanction of His Excellency the Governor has been obtained. It is proposed to expend the amount in about the following proportions : Extension of Breakwater, £60,000 ; extension of wharf, £15,000 ; dredging, £15,000; reclamation, £7500; cost of raising loan and expenses, £2500; total, £IOO,OOO. Of the loan authorised to be raised under the Timaru Harbor Board Loan Act 1881, the unexpended balance will be sufficient to complete Breakwater contract No. 5, now in progress, and also part of Moody Wharf.”

A Case of Jealousy.—A curious story comes to us from Parish M. Poslain, a well-to-do merchant, having lately married a very pretty, young, but penniless girl, returned home unexpectedly the other day and entered his wife’s room, who hastily tried to bide a letter she was reading. Roused to jealousy, he insisted on seeing the paper. His wife refused to show it to him, and finding both threats and entreaties of no avail, M. Poslain drew a revolver, and, pointing the muzzle towards his wife, threatened to shoot her it she did not comply with his wishes. Finding her still obdurate, he fired. The bullet struck the wife in the hip, and she fell to the ground with a loud scream. M. Poslain, losing all presence of mind at the sight, as he thought, of his dead wife, determined not to outlive her, and, rushing to the window, which was open, threw himself out, falling down from a third storey on to the pavement. Wonderful to relate, the fall did not kill him, but both his legs and his right arm were broken, and in this crippled state he was taken to the hospital by the police who rushed to the scene of the disaster. Madame Poalain’s injuries proved to be not very serious, and on further investigation it was found that the letter which the unfortunate young woman was trying to hide from her husband’s sight was a rather large milliner’s bill 1

Railway Returns —The following are the railwny returns for the period ending April 25th ; North Island t Receipts, £24,150 81; Expenditure, £14,753 5s lid. South Island : Receipts, £65,911 6s Bd, expenditure £35,071 6s 9d. Total receipts, £90,061 14s 8d ; total expenditure, £49,824 12s Bd. Hekbert’s Diorama.— Herbert’s Diorama opened Inal night in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka, but there wore only a few present, and the performance was not fully gone through. Such pictures as were exhibited, however, were reslly good and well worth seeing. The pictures of well-known places in London elicited much applause from those who saw them. Splendid scenes on the Rhine, and some local, views including the Catholic Church and Convent in Tiraaru, were also shown. The entertainment will be given again this evening, when we hope to seeja good audience present. Blue Ribbon Army.— A meeting of the Committee of the Temuka Blue Ribbon Army was held last evening in the Vestry adjoining St. Saviour’s Church. The following were present Rev. T. A. Hamilton (in the chair), and Messrs G. Davey, J. Brown, Dimood, Metson, Russell, and J. Cooper. After a consultation with regard to Mr R. T. Booth’s failure to visit Temuka on the previous evening, owing to his illness in Oatnaru, it was decided—“ That fresh efforts be put forth to induce Mr Booth to fix another night for his lecture after his recovery.” It was also agreed to open a correspondence with Mrs Leavitt with a view to that lady giving, say, two of her addresses in Temuka. The Secretary was instructed to call another meeting on receipt of further communications. The meeting closed with the Benediction. Proud or her Son.—A whimsical incident occurred in a theatre where the leading member of the company was celebrated for his magnificent physique. One night he was enacting Virginius, and his mother, who had never before been in a theatre in all her life, happened on the occasion to be in the boxes. Fresh from her native village, she was somewhat bewildered with the novelty of the scene. When her son appeared, she was amazed at the grandeur of his presence in flashings, sandals, and toga. His appearance caused a great deal of enthusiastic applause. When it had subsided, the proud mother, unable to restrain herself, and to the astonishment of all around her, said, “ I’m to glad you like him. He’s my son.” Thereupon the mother became the centre of attraction, and one admirer exclaimed, " Well, madam, you may well be proud of your son, for he looks as noble as a Roman.” “Ah,” sighed the poor old lady in reply, “ I didn’t want him to be a Roman. He would have looked splendid as a policeman.”

The friends of Mr W. Coltman, jun., Temuka, are invited to attend the funeral of his late wife, which takes place to-morrow, at 2.30 p.m. | The member* of the Alexandrovna Lodge, 1.0.0. F., Temuka, are requested to meet at the Lodge-room at 2 p.m., for the purpose of attending the funeral.— The members of Yictoria Lodge, No. 19, Geraldine, are also requested to assemble at tueir Hall to-morrow at 12 noon, and proceed to Temuka, to attend the funeral of the late wife of Bro. W. Coltman, junr., Mr W. H. Lodge, Geraldine, notifies that he intends to apply to the next meeting of the Geraldine County Council, for a license to slaughter at the yards formerly licensed on E.S. 10,459, near Geraldine. Messrs Siegert and Fauvel announce that they hare been appointed agents in Temuka for the Milford Mills (established nearly 20 years) and hare a large supply of best silkdressed flour, bran, sharps, etc. They are prepared to make arrangements for crushing and gristing. Talking Pabeots. —Stories about parrots grow more and more wonderful in proportion te their want of authenticity. What can be finer than the following ? It has the pungency of a Bewick vignette. A young couple went away from home for some weeks, on their return the parrot repeated several times, “ Let’s have another bottle there’s no one here to know,” proceeding to sound the appropriate “ plop ” and gurgle. This is true. How the servants must have loved the clever bird.