LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1391, 12 September 1885, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

San Francisco Mail.— Our readers are reminded that the outgoing mail via San Francisco closes to-day. Monthly Stock Sale.— Mr K. F. Gray holds his monthly stock sale on Wednesday next. He is now receiving entries.

Ashburton Cheese Factory.— About 800 pigs have been converted into bacon at the Ashburton Cheese Fact on’s works during the present season. Curing operations are now being brought to a close.

RaySITIBA YallsT. —Those interested in the establishment of a school at flu gilira are reminded that a meeting of householders fakes place at the residence of Mr William Wright this evening at-7.30. Tin o present, will elect a School Committee and define tire boundaries of the school district. False Pretences.— At the B.M. Court, Timaru, yesterday, a man named Henry Davis was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment witli hard labor for obtaining various sums of money from Jane Darby and John Daw, during the past few days, by means of false pretences. N.Z. Exhibition. —The New Zealand Tunes says that at the Exhibition the cheese exhibits are varied and fairly numerous, the Ashburton Factory taking the palm for quantity and appearance. The Turatahi, Woodville, Wang&nui, Woodlands (Taranaki), and Geraldine factories are also represented. A Nouuean Tragedy.- A horrible discovery has been made at Noumea in an uninhabited house in the Faubourg Blanchot. The remains of a newly-born infant, which had been cut up into pieces and cooked, were found in an advanced state of putrefaction. As a cab was conveying the relics to the hospital, it ran over a little girl five years old, and killed her the spot.

Correction,—ln our report in Thursday’sissue of the annual meeting of the Geraldine Cricket Club, a printer’s error occurred. The liabilities of the club are about £l9 instead of £9B as printed.

Girt Auction.— Next Saturday evening a gift auction, in the interests of the Primitive Methodist. Church, Temuka, will bo held in the Volunteer Hall. Meanwhile, donations of goods or money will be thankfully received by the members of the congregation. Bank of New South Walks. — A branch of this Bank will be opened m Temuka today, under the management of Mr B. J. S. Eckford, and will, doubtless, prove a great convenience to, and receive the support of, many residents in the district. The new Bank is situated almost directly opposite the Temuka Hotel.

Reserve at Waitohi.— Through our advertising columns, the School Commissioners for the Canterbury Provincial Diotriet invite tenders for the lease, for 14 veais, of Reserve 945, 195 acres, now occupied by Mr R. Baxter. Tenders close on the 28th inst. Full particulars are to be obtained from Mr H, H. Pitman, Government Buildings, Christchurch.

Lecture. —To-morrow (Sunday) evening Mr Fred. Crook will deliver a lecture in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka, on “The Shadows >if London.” The lecture has been delivered in 1 imaru and other places, and is very highly epiken of, being most entertaining and instructive. We a r e informed tnat although the lecture is a- secular one religion is in no way assailed. , , Fiji .News. —The s.s. Arawata, from Fiji, brings files to September 3rd. An epidemic of fever in Levuka and Suva is parliculary active. Typhoid fever has shown itself at Lomaloma, caused by the filthy state of the native towns. The Rev. W. Rosewarne, Wesley anminister, formerly of New Zealand, fell a victim to it, and many native deaths are laid to its charge. The native mortality is on the increase, and the death rate from several places is reported to be double that of births.

Curious Accident. A somewhat curious accident happened at the rifle range at Geraldine on Wednesday. One of the men, Private R. Gould, had just tired, and was waiting till the shot was marked, when a portion cf the bullet rebounded from the target and struck him on the side of the head. Fortunately it came in contact with the leather binding of liis cap, but had it been half an inch lower the result might have been rather serious. As it was the blow was sufficiently hard to cause dizziness, and its effects wore felt for some hours. Tire Gripped Diggings. — A representative of the Southland News was interviewed on Thursday morning by a practical miner, of long colonial experience, who was recently enticed by highly-colored newspaper accounts to leave New South Wales for the Mount Criffel goldfields, near Lake Wanaka, in Otago. He reports that the best and only payable ground has been already taken up by three parties. The field is situated at a considerable altitude. There is no fuel in the locality, and for water supply they have to depend on the snow outside of the small alluvial area already held. The party were unable to obtain the color.

Burnham Escapees.—On Sunday last (says the Lyttelton Times) two girls, named Mary O’Brien and Annie Mannering, made their escape from the Industrial School at Burnham. On Thursday, information was received which pointed to the probability of. their being in hiding somewhere on the Port Hills, and the police were despatched to search the hills both from the Christchurch and Lyttelton sides. The Christchurch police returned after a fruitless search, but the girls were found the same night on the Port side of the hills by the Lyttelton police, who, under Sergeant-Major Mason, had been on the look out for them all day.

Special Potters and Contracts But.— The Special Powers and Contracts Bill just introduced into the House of Representatives provides: That the Governor may by notice in the Gazette authorise the sole under provisions of Tlie Land Act, 1877, and Act amending same, of undermentioned reserves, namely, all that area of land in Waitohi survey district, provincial district of Canterbury, being reserve No. 158 in rod, and containing 640 acres, m*re or less. That the Governor may change the purpose from a site for a public pound to a drillshed site of that part of reserve No. 1373, in red, situate in town of Geraldine, and may vest the same in three Trustees to be appointed by the Governor, who may remove any of the said Trustees from office; the said Trustees also to have control and management for the purposes of a parade ground fcr Volunteers, of all that parcel of land in the provincial district of Canterbury containing 32 perches, more or less, being section, in red, situate in township of Geraldine survey district. That the Governor may change from a site for a gravel pit to a school site of reserve No. 1691 (in red), containing 5 acres, more or less, situate in Tengawai survey district. Wellington Hospital Inquiry. At the Hospital Inquiry on Monday Mr G. 8. Cooper, Under-Secretary for the Colony gave evidence. He deposed that what led to the official communication to Dr Chilton, asking for an explanation of his conduct, was the idea of the Colonial Secretary’s and his own that something was wrong, and that there had been irregularities. A nurse who had been dismissed by Dr Chilton accused him of being drunk on the evening when he dismissed her. Subsequently the Chairman of the Hospital Committee made a statement owing to a report from (he medical staff, with the result t hat the "doctor was sent for, and attended at the Colonial Secretary’s office next day. He was then told that he was charged with intemperance, and was offered a chance of resigning quietly ; but if he did not accept this an inquiry would follow. Dr Chilton denied any knowledge of the grounds for such a charge, and asked for 4S hours to consider his position. This time having elapsed, witness, by order, wrote to (he doctor demanding his immediate resignation. Miss Marsden had represented on one occasion that two patients had fled from the hospital, and that two more were ready to do S ', because of the doctor’s strange behavior, which she described as more that of a madman than a drunken man. Inquiries were as soon as possible instituted, and the doctor was told to give over charge to Dr Leviuge. He did not do so at once, and witness heard that the institution was in a state of confusion, and the officials insubordinate, chiefly owing to the action of the steward and dispensar. Further steps were immediately taken to depose Dr Chilton and insist on his removal, and Dr Levingo was placed in charge. Ho never contemplated the nurses being dismissed at so late an hour of the evening. The doctor oonld have countermanded the order ti ! l the following morning, which was really due to divided authority and delay in action. On Tuesday the Hon. P. A. Buckley was examined. Dr Levinge was re-examined, but nothing of imparlance was elicited. This concluded the evidence and the inquiry closed, [riiis report Was crowded out of our last issue.]

Thk Pension Question, —Tbs Wellington Post of Friday last says; -To.terday we

referred in our loading columns to the existence of several outstanding equitable claims for pensions, the granting of which is barred by legal technicality. In several cases the technical objection was deliberately created with the object of legally evading a moral responsibility. Under certain old Civil Service Acts officers on attaining the age of 60 years, and completing a certain number of years service, were guaranteed certain pensions when called upon to retire. In several cases with which we are acquainted care was taken to force officers to retire a few months or weeks before arriving at the prescribed age or completing the stipulated period of service, thus preventing them establishing u legal claim to the pension, to which they bad devoted the best years of their life. Such a proceeding on the part of any private person would be denounced as dishonest, but Governments have neither scruples of conscience nor bowels of compassion.

A Touching Stort. A shocking fatality is reported from Qraastnere (Victoria), the child of a farmer named Mewha having died from injuries received through burning. Mewha and bis wife left home, the house being in charge of the deceased, a girl 12 years of age, with her young sister. The latter thrust a broom into the fire, and withdrawing it when on fire touched her sister’s clothing. The child was quickly enveloped in flames, and, rushing out of the house, threw herself on tbe grass, rolling about and screaming for help. Al 1 efforts to extinguish the fire were unavailing, and, her clothing being consumed, she returned to the house naked and fearfully burned, when she got into bed, taking her young sister to keep her out of harm’s way. Site was found by a neighbor, who happened to call at the house. Medical aid was sent for, but was of no avail, and after fearful suffering the child died.

KiMiE Practice. —On Wednesday afternoon ana Thursdaj morning dstacbments of the Geraldine Rifle Corps proceeded to the range for the purpose of having some target practice. Two rounds were fired, one each at the 100 and 200 yards’ range, and some very fair shooting was done. The weather was not at all favorable on Wednesday, a gusty wind making the shooting of even the most steady, somewhat erratic. The men were under the superintendence of Sergt.-Major Jones, Captain Moore and Lieut. Ward being also in attendance. On Thursday the Geraldine contingent of the C.Y.0., under charge of Sergt. Lyndsay, of Timarn, went through their class firing at the ranio. Forty founds were fired by each man, the distance being 200, 300 and 400 yards. The cavalry carbines are not the best of weapons for making good scores with, but nevertheless some average shooting was shown by one or two of the members, especially at the long range, though most, if not all, are novices with a military weapon. Trooper Webster made the top score. The range was found to answer all the purposes required of it, and, when more practice is had, we hope to hear of some good scores being made upon it. The Unemployed.— lt will be remembered that a few weeks ago the Chairman of the Temuka Town Board obtained from Government £6O to be spent in giving work to the unemployed. As the question of the Vine street drain was one which had been a trouble for years to the local bodies, it was thought advisable to devote Ihe money to solving the difficulty, and so the men were pot to work in clearing the drain which runs through the park and which is but a continuation of the Vine street drain, In all, 20 men presented themselves for employment, and for the first week ten of those were engaged, and the other ten were taken on the second week. This week 17 were employed, the other three having obtained work elsewhere. The amount of money placed at the disposal of the Board has now been spent, and, as there is no more available at present, they will all be paid off this evening. The Park Board, however, contemplate making certain improvements in the park, and it is possible that some of them may bo engaged next week by the Board. Since the work commenced the drain through the park has been cleared out, with the result that it will now drain Vine street. In addition to this work the creek, or lagoon, at the south side of the park has been deepened, and the Park Board contemplate erecting a dam at its end, and making a pond there for boating purposes. If this is done, there will be then a sheet of water of about 20 chains in length by one chain wide and about four feet deep. It is also contemplated to use the place for acclimatisation purposes, and it will add considerably to the attractiveness of the park. The rate of wages paid to the men was 5s per day. Timaru Harbor Board —The monthly meeting of the Timaru Harbor Board took place yesterday. Present—Messrs W. Moody (Chairman), E. Elworthy, J, Talbot, J. Wilson, K. F. Gray, E. Acton, M. Jonas, A. Hayes, and J. Kelland, jun. The Chairman stated the revenue of the Board for the past month to have been Wharfage, £469 19* 7d ; Landing Service, £278 3s lOd ; port charges, £285 10s 6J | total, £103313s lid. Mr C. W. Turner wrote re his cement contract. The Chairman stated that he had authorised the taking over of a quantity of cement in excess of the contract, and a resolution was passed approving of his action. Several hundred copies of the plans of the Port were received from the Marine Department. The Railway Department wrote in reply to a letter from the Board, that the wharves at Lyttelton were lighted by the Harbor Board, and the Board decided to enquire into the practice at Oamaru, Port Chalmers and Bluff. A letter from the Railway As* sistant Engineer asking the Board to contribute to the maintenance of the road between the beach and the Goods shed, as the Board had a good deal of traffic over it, was referred to the Works Committee, A letter from the Railway Department regarding Mr Kirby’s contract for broken metal, and one from the agent of a patent fire extinguisher soliciting an order, were marked “ received.” A letter was received from the New Zealand Underwriters’ Association, Christchurch, slating that the Board’s request for j lowering the insurance rates had been j referred to the head office, Auckland, j The Chairman stated that Captain Ticehurst, representing the Head Office, had i visited Timaru and spoken very highly of | the port. J

Rrtoltbhs.—From a case heard in the Wellington Magistrate's Court the other day, revolvers would seem to be everyday playthings of the inhabitants of that city. A man was charged with the larceny of a revolver. The evidence of the prosecutrix went to show that the accused visited her house on the day before. He refused to settle an account which ho owed her, and she then locked the door. He at once pulled a revolver from his pocket, and threatened to take her life. She then went to a drawer, and also produced a revolver, saying, “ Two can play at that game." He snatched the revolver from her hand, unloeked the door, and went away with hsr weapon in his possession. Thb Eiskx Houeb Stbibii. — An old man who is claimed to have been the originator of the eight-hours' movement has just died at Wellington. His name was William Taylor, and he was 80 years of age. For some time he had been on the books of the Benevolent Society at Wellington. At the meeting of that body Mr Danks, in very feeling terms, alluded to the deceased, who, he said initiated the eight-hours’ movement in Wellington, whence it spread to other parts of the Colony, Australia, England, and the United States, He was sorry that it had not been made known to the trades in Australia that the originator of the eight-hours’ movement was living on charity in Wellington. The Secretary stated that the deceased arrived there in the year 1840, and he, with a few others, at Petone, agreed that eight-hours—-from 8 till 6—should constitute a day’s work in New Zealand.

Cruelty to Horses. —At the R.M. Court, Ashburton, yesterday, we learn from the Guardian that George and William Russell were chargad with cruelty to horses, by working the same with sore shoulders. The accused pleaded guilty. The Bench having retired and examined the horses, which were in a most lacerated and pitiable condition, the Resident Magistrate, Mr Baddeley, addressing the accused, Gorge Russell, said “As the Sergeant of Police has remarked there is not the slightest need for comment on your offence. What the Bench has just seen is sufficient to satisfy them that yours is the most brutal instance of cruelty that has ever come under the notice of this Court. And still you have had the audacity to ask us to treat you leniently. The case, as I have just remarked, ie quite an exceptional ©ne in its horrible surroundings, and we have determined to make an exemplary warning of you. For the sake of making a little additional money, have most barbarously tortured these poor animals. You will be imprisoned, with hard labor, for four calendar months.”—On the application of Sergeant Felton, an order was made for the accused to pay costs, failing payment in the ordinary course, the horses to be sold to realise the amount.—Addressing William Russell, the Resident Magistrate said : “ Your case is bad enough. But for the case we have just disposed of, it would be the worst that lias ever come under the notice of the Court. You will be fined £ls and costs, in default two calendar months’ imprisonment.” On the application of Sergeant Felton, an order was made for the sale of the horses failing payment of coats. The same paper states that when arrested the men were contract ploughing at Ealing, goading the unfortunate horses to work with a heavy stockwhip.

Good Resolutions.—At the commencement of every now year hundreds and thousands of young men —and old as well—form resolutions for their guidance for the coming year. Many keep them, while others break them. To such we wish to give a word of advice. In order to sustain ycur determination of leading a better life in the future you should uie Hop Bitters. The judicious use of Hop Bitters strengthens, cleanses, and purifies the stomach, bowels, blood, liver, nerves, and kidneys, and is just what you want to build up and invigorate yourielf.—Greenbush U.8.A.. Dam.— Raad Adyt.

SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS. James Blylh, Temuka—Funeral notice, Fred. Crook —Lecture in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka, to-morrow night. VV. 0. Andrews, Poundkeeper—Dark bay hick horse impounded in the Geraldine Pound. K. F. Gray, Temuka —Is a cash buyer of ohaff; holds his monthly stock sale on Wednesday. Primitive Methodist Church—Gift auction in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka, on Saturday, Sept. 19fch. K. Sando—lnforms the members of the National Mutual Life Association of Australasia (Limited) and others that he has appointed Mr James Sanderson, of Timaru, Resident Agent for the Association.