LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1394, 19 September 1885, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Railway Returns. —The Railway returns for the four-weekly period ending 15th August show the receipts to have been £70,630 12s 9d, and the expenditure £53,499 17s 4d. Gazetted. —The Gazette notifies the appointment of Mr J, T. M. Hayhurst as Captain of the Temuka Rifles, and Mr F. G, Begg as Lieutenant of the Timaru Navals. Cemetery toe Woodbury.—A meeting will be held this evening in the schoolroom, Woodbury, to consider the question of providing a cemetery for Woodbury and district. The meeting takes place at half-past six. , Journalistic, — A new evening penny paper, entitled The Globe, is about to be started in Sydney, and the projectors intend also bringing out in connection with it The Sunday Times, which will be the first Sunday paper issued in the Colonies. Dog Fighting. —At the City Police Court Christchurch,, on Thursday, a man named Christy Hampson was lined 5s and ordered to pay £L Is fid costs for having made his dog fight in St Asaph street on the 4th September. This case should act as a warning to those who delight in this pastime. Peel Forest. —It has been proposed to hold an Horticultural Show in this district early during the coming year, and Messrs Dean, Barker, Newman, Jenkins, Handford, and Johnstone have been elected a committee to arrange the business of the undertaking. 4ny one interested in the the affair can have all particulars from any member of the above Committee.

Baud Concert. —In our advertising columns will he found the programme of concert in aid of the Temulca Brass Band, which takes place in the Volunteer Hall next Tuesday. It is a varied and lengthy one, and promises a good evening’s entertainment.

Auction Salks.— Messrs J. Mundell and Co. to-day sell by auction, at Geraldine, the privileges at the forthcoming Geraldine races ; they also sell turnip and mangold seed, cordials, teas, sugar, potatoes, crockery, furniture, etc., etc. The auction begins at their rooms at 12.30.

Gates on Roads. —At a special meeting of the Levels Road Board on Wednesday, it was resolved—“ That notice be given that all gates on public roads be removed within ten days from this date, unless written application is made and granted by the Board to allow swing gates to remain where they are.”—ln future every such gate will have to have affixed to it a hoard on which the words “ Public Hoad ” is printed in large letters. The Board after the expiry of ten days intend to remove every gate not authorised to remain.

A Mackenzie Country Story.—Some Mackenzie Country shepherds have fust started a story, which, if persisted in, ought to prove as valuable to that interesting distict as traces of the “moa” or a very fair gold mine. The story goes that the men were burning, in the dusk of the evening, the tussocks which grow so abundantly and luxuriantly on the banks of a Lake Pubaki. While so engaged they observed what they took to be a boat keel upwards, and of course a move was at once made towards it. On their approach, however, the object, which was black, and large, made a move for the lake, and quickly disappeared in the waters with a mighty splash. What the feelings of the shepherds were is not stated, but they must have been dreadful. Got over them, however, they told the story far and wide, and were it not that shepherds are said to be the most guileless of men, one might suppose that they were proprietors of a hostelry at, or a line of coaches running to, the lake in question. A local print says the description of the “object” answers to that of a “ taniwha,” and perhaps it does—in its vagueness.

An Amusing Story.— Tlie following, according to the New Zealand Schoolmaster, has a singular merit of being absolutely true :—One of Board’s female teachers was engaged to be married, and thinking to show off the attractions of her well-beloved swain, and, no doubt, to crow a little, after the fashion of women, over her less fortunate (?) relative, she invited her sister—also a teacher in the Board’s employ—to pay her a visit during the late midwinter holidays. What was the result? Swain transferred his allegiance to the sister, and is now married to her. Alas! alas! “ One foot on sea and one on shore, men were inconstant ever.” But, you will say, did the first idol of the fickle youth resign her position as teacher, and die of a broken heart ? Bah ! no. In this part of the world broken hearts are left to novels, and something more than the preceding is required to injure the female pericardium. Marriage is mainly a matter of interest; the man discussing the girl’s “ points ” (as he would those of a horse —the noblest animal on this coast in his estimation), and perhaps her dot, the girl having a keen eye to the man’s worldly affairs. But to return after this degression. The disappointed maiden was engaged to another individual some three weeks after her desertion, and has sent in her resignation to the Board. Whether her force of attraction is sufficient to keep her second admirer in his present orbit remains to be seen. Talking of points, I must say I prefer the fickle man’s first choice, and can account for his change only upon the supposition that he is fond of en bon point.

Imbortant Native Meeting. Messrs Stevens and Kennedy returned to Napier from Tongariro last Wednesday night at the base of which mountain there has been held during the past three weeks an important Maori gathering. Over 1200 natives were present, representing all the principal tribes occupying the interior of the Island. The object of the native meeting was to cement a union of the native race by the formation of a common platform on which both Queen and King natives could agree. The following resolutions were passed ; 1. Recognition of the King as hsad of the natives, 2. Unity of the Maori race, and maintenance of friendly relations with Europeans, 3. Adoption of Native Lands Court. 4. Abolition of special representalion in the Legislative Assembly. 5, Withdrawal of all lands from sale, lease and survey, pending the arrival of Mr Q-orst from England. 6. Support of the temperance movement. 7. Though no obstruction would be offered to the costruction of railways consent should not be given to them, and all land taken for railways should be paid for. A small section of the natives, of whom Hohopa Tamanutu was spokesman, disagreed with all the above resolutions, but being in so small a minority their objections carried no weight. The natives resolved to shut up the hotels at Tokano. Six hundred took the total abstinence pledge. The principal chiefs present were Te Hihu, Topia, Tuaoa Hori, Eopehu, Mahu Atu, and Te Keri. The latter was present as representing the King.

Rejoicings at Mount Peel. —On last Tuesday Miss Acland, eldest daughter of the Hon. J. B. A. Acland was married to Mr Empson, of Wanganui, in the Holy Innocents Church, Peel Forest, The event was made the occasion of great rejoicings, and as almost all the residents in the district received invitations to attend the wedding, the day was observed as a general holiday. Fully 150 persons were present. The weather could not be said to be unfavorable, although a high north-west wind made travelling unpleasant, and disarranged some of the decorations of the Church. Much taste and labor had evidently been bestowed upon the decorations of the pretty little Church, with the result that it presented a very nice appearance. The bride, who was at tended by six bridesmaids (five of whom were her sisters, and the other Miss Tripp) was led to the altar by her father, and the marriage ceremony was solemnised by her grandfather, the Most Rev. Bishop Harper, Primate of New Zealand, assisted by the Incumbent of the Parish, the Rev J. Preston, and the Rev W. Harper. The guests, after the ceremony was performed returned to Holnicot, the seat of the father of the bride, and were entertained at dinner. The wedding presents were numerous and handsome, and many were the good wishes offered up for the future happiness of the bride, whose many acts of kindness and goodness made her the beloved of all. After dinner many of the visitors strolled through the grounds and enjoyed themselves thoroughly till evening, when a ball was given by the employees of the station. This was numerously attended, and dancing was was kepi up spiritedly till a late hoiu^

Kejtreshing Showers. —The long continued spell of unseasonable weather has caused the ground to become very dry, and the young grass and crops aie not so for.vard as they ought to be. Rain has been much wanted to infuse life into their growth, and the showers which fell yesterday, though rather cold, should have a very beneficial effect. 1 1 nion is Strength.— Mr Plunket, First Commissioner of Works, delivered a speech at Bethnal Green on the oil) August, making an eloquent reference to the unity and greatness of the AngloSaxon race. He paid a warm tribute of praise to his Australian fellow-kinsmen, and drew a picture of what England and her colonies may attain to hereafter, if, as he put it, Englishmen are not mean enough to listen to the teaching of the spurious morality and stock humility that whs preached In 1880, and which has borne abundant fruit since.

Stud Horses.—lncur advertising columns it is notified by Mr E. Scott, Geraldine, that the thoroughbred horse “ The General,” will travel the district this season. “ The General ” is a stamp of horse that should find favor with owners of brood --mares, as from his size and symmetry he is one that should produce good weight-carrying hacks. His breeding is first-class, his sire being the well-known horse “ Castaway ” who was full brother to Lurlme, Lo Loup, Lure, etc. “ The General’s ” dam is the thoroughbred mare Nancy, by Diomedes. —In our advertising columns it is also announced that Trump Card will stand at Four Peaks this year if not previously sold. Trump Card’s reputation is well known. The Panama Canal.—Whether the Panama Canal will ever supersede the transcontinental railroads as a mail route is a question that lime and competition alone can solve, but it will be of none the less interesting to know that, despite the carping critics, the latest reports of the progress of that stupendous undertaking are on the whole most satisfactory. The annual report of the company has just been presented lo the shareholders, and in it the great engineer reports his conviction that, from the stage progress has reached, the canal will be opened to the steamers of the world in the year 1888. The preliminary difficulties have been all successfully overcome, the output of excavation increases in volume every month, and M. De Lessops affirms that half of the work necesary for cutting the isthmus has already been performed. The total cost of the work, when completed, will be, as now estimated, the nice little sum of £28,000,000 sterling.

The Castletown-Rochb Muedeh.—The trial of the murderer (says the Home correspondent of the Otago Daily Times) has been summarily arrested by the daring inst.rusion of the Fourth Estate into the sacred precincts of justice, for, owing to certain inflammatory articles which appeared in the local Press, the judge deemed it right to postpone the trial to the next assizes. This case has a Colonial interest from the fact of New Zealand having been attempted to bo made an asylum by the fugitive murderer, but the progress of the investigation of eliciting features of tbe most revolting character. If the evidence given is true, not only did this man for the most inadequate reasons, in cold blood strike down his own mother, brother, and sister, but joined in a gay and festive party before the blood of his murdered relatives was cold. The evidence of an informer, who was an accomplice, fully corroborated, leaves no doubt as to what the result of the trial will be.

Presbyterian Church.—On last Monday evening a course of Evangelistic services was commenced in the Presbyterian Church, Temuka, and have been continued since. Owing to the illness of the Rev. Mr Mackintosh, the services have been conducted by the Rev, Mr West of Southbridge. On Monday evening Mr West preached an able sermon, and on Tuesday the pulpit was occupied by Mr Stewart, of Orari. On Wednesday and Thursday, and again last night, the Rev. Mr West preached. The attendance has been fair throughout, and great interest appeared to have been taken in the services. Sankey’s hymns have been used, and an efficient choir has contributed to the interest manifested in the proceedings. The services will be continued next week, the Rev. R. Erwin, of Christchurch, conducting them.

Hansen t, Sanderson. This case was before the District Court, Timaru, last Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. On Wednesday, A. A. Hasel gave evidence for the plaintiff, and was followed by Martha Hansen (the daughter of the plaintiff), Arthur Steadman, the Manager of the Bank, and James D. Batham, District Laud Registrar. On Thursday Mr White opened the case for the defence. He said the case for the plaintiff rested upon alleged fraud, in that Hie mortgage was obtained in the manner described in the evidence for plaintiff. He then read over several clauses in the declaration of claim bearing on the mortgage, and added that ho would be able to show that Hansen entered into the arrangement with his eyes thoroughly open, and that there was no concealment, no fraud, no misrepresentation of any kind, on the part of defendant or his late partner. The evidence of H. L. Foster, K. Sando, aud Joseph Miller, defendant’s accountant, was taken for the defence. The evidence of the witnesses went to show that Hansen knew that his property was mortgaged for an advance to purchase the soapworks with. On Friday Francis Franks, Edward Smith, Boyd Thomson, Henry J. Maclean, and John Sanderson gave evidence. A Terrible Accident. Particulars have been received (says an American contemporary) of a terrible accident to a yachting party on an American lake. The information was received from Minneapolis, Minnesota. It appears that the steam yacht Minnie Cook, with 10 persons on hoard, was cruising in Luke Minnetonka, when a sudden and terrific storm burst over the water. The steamer had got a considerable way out before she was overtaken by the wind—indeed she was lost sight of, and not being seen after the storm subsided, it was feared she had gone down. The fear was confirmed by the arrival of a boatman who had been out in his yawl during the heavy weather. So sudden was the storm that he could not get to a place of shelter and lay down in the bottom of his boat for safety. In an instant the waves became fearfully turbulent, and his little craft was shot upwards like a rocket. The man had just previously seen the Minnie Cook, and afterwards heard a piercing scream, ns if from a woman in the yacht. On looking towards the spot, the little steamer and her occupants were nowhere to be seen ; she had gone clu..n with all on board. Among the occupants of the steamer were the exMayor Rand, his wife, son, and nephew. The lake was subsequently dragged, and seven of the bodies recovered,

Temuka Dairy Factory. —The Secretary to the Temuka Dairy Factory notifies through onr advertising columns thatoperations will be commenced at this Factory as soon as farmers and others are prepared to supply sufficient milk to justify this course. Those in a position to supply milk are requested to communicate with the Secretary at once.

The Shadows or London.— Mr Fred. Crook repeated his lecture in the Volunteer Hall, Temnka, last night. The lecture was very much the same as that given on Sunday evening last, with the exception that some incidents of London life were added. The audience was numerous and appreciative, and the lecturer was frequently applauded. Sale of Property.— lnstructed by Mr W. Essery, Mr W. S. Maslin will submit to auction on Tuesday next, at the late residence of the owner, nearthe Wesleyan Parsonage, Temuka, a quarter acre section with house and well-stocked garden situate at Temuka, two acres with improvements fronting the Milford Road, and a quarter acre' corner section in the township of St. Andrews, Pareora.

Me Buenett’s Tempeeancb Mission.—Mr Burnett conducted a meeting open to ladies only in Timaru on Thursday afternoon, and it is said succeeded in inducing many of those present to become blue nbbonists. At a meeting in the Theatre Royal the same evening 98 persons signed the pledge. We understand that Mr Matthew Burnett, will visit Geraldine about the end of next week and will conduct meetings in the township and neighboring districts. —At a meeting of the Committee of the Blue Ribbon Gospel Temperance Mission in Temuka last evening, the Rev. T. A. Hamilton in the cliair, a letter was read from the Rev. W. Gillies, notifying that Mr Burnett placed himself at the disposal of the Committee on Saturday, 3rd October, and the following week. It was decided to accept the offer and make arrangements for a meeting of friends and wellwishers on the evening of Mr Burnett’s arrival, two sermons and an address to the children on the Sunday, three lectures during the week in Temuka, and two in country districts yet to be decided on. A subcommittee was appointed to arrange details and report to another meeting of the Committee to be held in about ten days. The meeting terminated with the Benediction.

Good Resolutions,— At the commencement of every new year hundreds and thousands of young men—and old na well form resolutions for their guidance for the coming year. Mary keep them, while others break them. To such we wish to give a word of advice. In order to sustain ytur determination of leading n better life in the future you should use Hop Bitters. The judicious use of Hop Bitters strengthens, oleaneec, and purifies the stcmach, bowels, blood, liver, nerve®, and kidneys, and is just what you want to build up and invigorate yourself.—Gfeenbmh U.BA,. Dam.— R>ad Advt.

SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS

Temuka Dairy Factory—lmportant notice to farmers. W. S. Maslin—At Temuka on Tuesday sells freehold property. Robt. Scott, Geraldine—“ The General” will travel the district this season, John Paterson—lnvites separate tenders for cutting goree fences and burning gorse on Springfield and Winchester Farms. Geraldine County Council —Notice of intention to borrow for the construction of water-races in the Waitohi district. Fred. Smith, Photographer—Announces that he will shortly pay Temuka and Geraldine a visit with all the latest improvements in the art.