LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1350, 9 June 1885, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Maori Election.—The election to elect a Maori Member vice Mr Taiaroa, called to the Upper House, takes place to*uiorrow. The Courthouse, Temuka, is the polling place for this district.

Sale at Waitohi.—Under distraint for rent (unless the claim is previously settled), Messrs Maolean and Stewart will hold a sale of live and dead stock on the farm of Mr John Anderson, Waitohi, to-day.

Working-Man Candidate.—The working men of Edinburgh ure actively engaged in preparing for the next general election. They have resolved to return a workingman candidate, and also to pay him for his aervices in Parliament.

Geralmne Road Board.—The ordinary monthly meeting of this Board will be held this morning at 10 o'clock. Supreme Court, Timaru. -The halfyearly session of the Supreme Court iD Timaru commences to-day. The calendar of criminal cases is a rather heavy cne including a charge of murder, and one of attempted murder. Very little civil business h set down for hearing. The Wakanui Seat.—A largely-signed requisition was presented to Mr E. G. Wright on Saturday morning asking him to stand for the Wakanui seat, and he consented to do so. Mr J. Ivees has announced his intention of contesting the sent, and Mr J. C. Wason has been mentioned as a probable third candidate.

Parliamentary.—Parliament meets for the despatch of business on Thursday next. The Governor's speech is expected to be a very exhaustive one. In the Legislative Council Mr R. Pbarazyn, Wanganui, and Mr J. Sheph&rd, Kelson, will propose and second the Address in Reply to the Governor's Speech. In the Lower House it is understood that Mr W. P. Pearson, Member for .Ashley, will propose, and Mr P. W. Hislop, Member for Ovmaru, will second, the Address in Reply. National Bank v. Mbb.—ln Chambers, in the Supreme Court, Christchurch, on Friday, before His Honor Mr Justice Johnston, among other cases that of the National Sank v. Mee and another—Return to summons of June Ist—came on, Mr Harper applied for the fixing of the trial at Timaru, to which Mr Adams objected, as he bad no notice, within the prescribed time, of the trial. The order for a new trial was made, after discussion, the question of time and p.ace to be argued at the Timaru Court, at 10 a.m. on Wednesday next. Wbll-Dbsertbd Sbntbkcb. Joseph Spencer and William Collins, two A.B.'s of the ship Soukar, were convicted at the Lyttelton R.M. Court on Wednesday of broaching cargo, and sentenced to six months hard labor each. It appeared that owing to their nefarious practices on the voyage out the ship had a narrow escape from being burnt at sea. They explored the hold with naked lights, and once left a candle burning on a case of candles, which was one of nearly 300 such cases, placed just above a large quantity of spirits. The lighted candle burnt down tnd charred the case on which it stood, but fortunately the fire did not spread.

Royal Flouring Mills.—Mr J. B. Rutland, who has for about twenty years been with Mr C. W. Turner, of Christchurch, has been appointed Commercial Manager of the Royal Flouring Milis Company, Timaru, and on Thursday night last he was presented by his late fellow employees, with a handsome gold locket as a token of their goodwill and esteem. The appointment seems a most judicious one, Mr Rutland's long experience and good abilities well fitting him for the post, and the shareholders of the Company should be fully satisfied.

Arrival of the lonic—The lonic arrived at the heads, Port Chalmers, at 1 a.m. yesterday, and crossed the bar at 9 a.m. ; draught, 21ft aft, 17ft 6in forward. The passage, including detentions, occupied 43 days 5 hours 15 minutes; mean steaming time from Plymouth to Capetown, 29 days 13 hours 6 minutes; Plymouth to Hobart, 38 days 11 hours 43 minutes; and to Taiaroa Heads, 43 days. The passage has been a fine weather one, with the exception of a heavy southerly gale on May 18 compelling her to heave to for 15 hours. She brings 2,500 tons of cargo, a third for Dunedin ; 7 bags of mails from Plymouth, and 1 from the Cape. Her 140 passeDgera have enjoyed good health. No births or deaths occurred during the voyage. Natite Affaibs.—Major Atkinson has been " deputationised" by tha settlera at Bahotu re Native affairs. Mr Mills, formerly of Timaru, acted aa spokesman. He said if be had been the greatest reprobate under the sun he could not hare been treated by Mr Ballance with greater disrespect. He then related bow the native* had in the past interfered with the settlers. Major Atkinson laid he entirely failed to understand the motive Mr Ballanoe had in removing tho Constabulary. His object should bo to weaken Te Whiti's influence, but their removal from Parihaka increased that influence. Major Atkinson promised to use his influence to get equitable administration of the laws to European and Maori. One policeman was evidently insufficient. He thought the meeting EPjght expect an additional force. Major Atkinson was well received, and thanked by the settlers for his courtesy to them. Religious Toleration.—The national spirit which has sprung up in Ireland is annihilating religious intolerance, especially in the south. A correspondent of Nation of April 4 writes :—"Another . ieciion—that in Woodfort division of the Skibbereen Uuion—caused considerable commotion. There a Protestant Nationalist confronted a landlord backer named Sweeney, who is, however, an examplary Catholic. The Catholic clergy, foremost amongst whom was Father John O'Leary, R.C.A., stood manfully to the Protestant candidate, while the Catholic candidate received the support and proxies of the Protestant Dean of Ross. The Protestant candidate was elected." There is, however, nothing 1 very otrange in this. A large percentage of the members ot Parliament for the South of Ireland are Protestants, elected by constituencies in which oine-tenths of th»„ electors are Catholics. Mr T. M. Healey is a Catholic, but he represents Monaghan, a northern constituency, where the Protestants are very numerous. Thus it is that national Bpirit is wiping out religious bigotry.

' Natite Lands Bill.—The Native Lands Settlement Bill, which is to be presented to Parliament, is now completed, and will be distributed shortly. The Bill provides means i by which native lands can be disposed of either by sale or lease under the land laws of tho colony when they have passed through the Native Lands Court. The owners of a block of land will have the power to appoint from among themselves if they are eight or more in number, a Committee consisting of seven persons, who will have the right to deal with the lands, subject to certain powers of control on *he part of the owners. If the number is seven or less, then the owners themselves will have the powers of a Committee. A Board will b» constituted for certain defined districts, and will hare power, upon the recommendation of a Committee, to take land and use it for settlement purposes in a way similar to the operations of the Waste Lands Boards. The Commissioners of these Boards will have large powers entrusted to them, but will be always subject on the one hand to the recommendations of the Committee of owners, and on the other hand to the regulations of the Governor-in-Council bringing into force the land laws under which the land will be administered. Expedition is now being used in putting the land through the Native Lands Courts with a view to bringing them speedily under the operation of the Bill wh&n passed. (

Ikish Volunteers. Owing to the evening being so wet, and the attendance being consequently small, the meeting in re the above corps has been adjourned until next Saturday evening.

Business Chan&e.—Mr W. R. Lawson notifies he has purchased the butchering business of Messrs Taaker and Co., Geraldme, and asks for a continuance of the support accorded to him and tie late firm. Bible in Schools. —A petition is in circulation in Christchurch (for presentation to Parliament) praying "that the Education Aul may be amended to allow ministers of religion, or persons duly authorised by them, to communicate religious instruction in public schools within school hours."

Public Muting in Tnnnr.l.-In responds to a Tory representatire requisition the Chairman of the Temuka Town Board in our advertising columns convenes a public meeting for Thursday evening next, in the Temuka Town Board oflce to take into consideration the advisability of forming a " Benevolent Society " in Temuka. Photoobapht.— Mr F. Smith, Photographic artist, notifios that he has commenced business in Timaru, and is prepared to take photographs at prices ranging from Is upwards. His studio is in " Shepherd's Buildings," and there he will be glad to meet his old fritnds and others. Mr Smith announces that he gives lessons in the art. Auction Sales. Mr K. F. Grsy announces in our advertising columns that on the 17th inst., he will hold a clearing sale of the household furniture and effects of Mr B. D. O'Halloran, which, for convenience of sale, will be removed to bis auction rooms. The sale will be a bona fide unreserved one, as Mr O'Halloran is remoring to thi North Island. On the 19th he will sell by auction the farm and plant of Messrs D. G-. and E. S. I Smith, of Milford, who are giving up farming and leaving the district. Full particulars of both sales will be found in our advertising s columns.

Football. There was a very poor muster of footballers in the Temuka Park last Saturday afternoon, and consequently the intended scratch match did not come off. There does not seem to be the same activity on the part of members as formerly. Whether the officers of the Club are to blame for this want of spirit we cannot tell, but members should show up better at the practices if they wish to hold their own against other clubs. The return match against Timaru is to come off next Saturday, and, to prepare tor such, practices will be held in the Park every afternoon this week.

Lecture ok "Russia".—The Key. T. Jasper Smythe, of Pleasant Point, delirers a lecture oa " Russia," in tbe Volunteer Hall, Temuka, to-night, the proceeds going to a poor widow. Mr Symthe delivered the same lecture at Pleasant Point a few weeks since, and it was then very highly spoken of, and in addition to the pleasure and instruction which those attending will be sure to derive from hearing it, they will hare the satisfaction of knowing that they are assisting in a rery laudable object. We hope to see a crowded house. The Rev. Mr Hamilton, who takes the chair, has received the following practical proof of sympathy with the object of tbe meeting from Mrs S. V. Manning, of Pleasant Valley, Geraldine :—" The Rev. T. A. Hamilton, lemuka. —Sir,—l cannot attend the proposed lecture which is to be held on Tuesday, 9th inst., the proceeds of which are to be applied to the assistance of a poor widow, but beg to enclose a small mite in tbe shape of a few postage stamps, value ss, in aid of the good object."

Fatal Accideht.—-The Press records two fatal accidents whieh occurred on Saturday last. The first, which befel Mist Annia Wright, eldest daughter of Mr R. M. Wright, surveyor to the Eyreton Boad Board, and the second to Mr Edward Eobinson, an old and well known settler in the Eangiora district. Miss Wright and her father were proceeding in a single buggy from Ohoka into Kaiapoi and when about to cross the bridge, the horse bolted and made for its stables, and turning a corner rather sharply the two occupants of the buggy were thrown heavily out. Mr Wright escaped with a few bruises, but Miss Wright fell on her heed and never after recovered consciousness, expiring the same night. Mr Robinson, an old man of 70 years, was walking from Eangiora to his home in the Native Reserve on Saturday night, when he was met by some young men named Chinnery, who were driving in an opposite direction. Th« night was very dark, and Eobinson, who was walking in the middle of the road, was struck by the shaft of the vehicle in the side and died shortly afterwards. He was one of the oldest residents in the district. The Postmaster or Temttka, —With feelings of Tery sincere regret we learn that Mr B. D. O'Halloran is about to leave Temuka for Kawakawa, in the Province of Auckland to which place he has been transferred. For some time past Mrs O'Halloran has been suffering from a severe cold, and her medical advisers have suggested to her the desirability of removing to <i warmer climate. Oa account of this Mr O'Halloran is removibg to the place above indicated, as the climate there is much warmer than in this district, and we heartily wish that the change will I have the desired effect on Mrs O'Halloran'a I health. Mr O'Halloran has been in charge of the Temuka Post Office for the last five or six years, and it is not too much to say that the duties appertaining to that office could not possibly have been better performed than they have been by him. It is not easy for a public officer to discharge his duties so as to please everyone, as there ere always persons who must grumble and complaio. No greater praise can be given to Mr O'Halloran therefore than that we have never heard even one man complaining of anything whatsoever in connection with the Postoffice during the time that he has been in charge of it. The business of the office so far as the outside world knew was always done with the greatest regularity and despatch ; and if any one wanted to see the Postmaster he was always to be found at his post. He was courteous and obliging to all, while his gentlemanly manners and kindly disposition secured for him the friendship of all classes of the community. We repeat again that the duties of his office could not have been discharged with greater regard to public convenience than he has discharged them, and we feel assured that the whole community will join with us in expressions of regret at his departure, and also in wishing him God speed and happiness in his new abode.

M> Geo. Ward notifies he is prepared to supply good oat-straw chaff at sixpence per bag. For particulars see advertisement. The Temuka poundkeeper notifies the iuipaunding of two calves, which will be sold on the 28th June if not previously released. Descriptions in advertisement. Mr Chas. Story, Temuka, offers £1 reward for the recovery of a black cob ma'e and a cream-colored pony. Description of horses will be found in advertisement.

Mr J. W. Velvin, storekeeper, Temuka, announces that he has added to his stock a large assortment of tobaccoes, pipe?, cigars, cigarettes, stationery, etc. His tea*, sugars, oilmen's stores, crockeryware, etc., are of the best, and his prices are low. He invites oustomers to call and see for themselvos. The demand for the great American remedy, Hop Bitters, in this part of the world has become so great that the Hop Bitters Co., whose headquarters are at Rochester, New York, U.S.A., hare been compelled to open a laboratory in Melbourne. It is in chsrge of Mr M. H. Van Bergh, a gentleman of seTeral years' experience with this Company, and the trade may be assured af reoemng goods equal to the parent house, ond the most courteous treatment. The H. B. Co. haTe establishments at London, Paris, Antwerp, Belgium, Breda, Holland and Toronto, and their American Bitters are probably the best known medicine in the world. —AdTt.