LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1404, 13 October 1885, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Gold. —The escort took down to Dunedin on Saturday gold to the value of £31,000. Gebaldinb Road Board,— The monthly meeting of the Geraldine Road Board takes place to-day.

Death op a Lunatic.— A patient of the Ashbum Hall Lunatic Asylum (Otago) was drowned in u creek on Sunday last. The South Canterbury Freezing Works. —We understand that Mr Boyd Thomson lias been appointed manager of these works.

Shock op Earthquake,—A shock of earthquake was felt in Blenheim on Sunday. The day was very hot—the thermometer registering 92 in the sun. Oub Dkfbnoe Works.— Speaking at Wanganui on Saturday His Excellency the Governor said Mr John B-dlsnce waz deserving of great credit for the present efficient, slate of our Defence Works. Mr Ballanoe had gone about the work thoroughly recognising its importune.*. Accidents in Timaru. —On Saturday last a lad named Powell broke his leg at theTim-iru Woollen Company’a new buildings. He was playing about and fell off a ladder from a considerable height. Yesterday morning a sailor named Armour had lus leg broken. A Warning.—Mr Baddeley said in Court at Geraldine yesterday, that it was his intention to increase the fines for horse and cattle trespass if so many persons came before him each Court day. It seemed to him as though it paid peopie to run their stock at large while the tines were so small.

The Band Contest. —The following is the re-ult of the band contest in connection with the Industrial Exhibition t—Oamam, 568 point*, Ist prize, £75 ; Invercargill, 663 points, 2nd prize, £SO ; ChrLtohurch, 530 points, 3rd prize £25. The others are : Auckland, 530 ; Wanganui, 506 j Wellington, *B6 ; Dunedin, 476 ; Nelson, 332. The New Plymouth Breakwater.— The damage done to the Breakwater at Now Plymouth by l-ist week's storm was found to be not veiy serious, and the repairs were finished on Saturday uignt. Tlie Wellington Post’s statement that 300 feet had subsided was not correct. One section had be-n undermined by the sea and had subsided about a foot. Canine Faithfulness. —ln reference to the death of Mr Lambert, who was accidentally killed by failing over a cliff 93ft|at the Kowai recently, the Press states that the dog remained with the body on guard about 105 hours—from the time of the accident till the body was found. The sagacious animal appeared to have chased a sheep over the cl.ff about the same spot, and had kept itself supplied with rations.

Uncomplimentary. —An old country gentleman, reluming homo rather late, discovered a yokel with a lantern under hie kilclen window, who, when asked his business there, staled that, he had only come a-courling. “ Come a-what ?” said the irate gentleman. “ A-courting. I’se courting." “It’s a lie! What do you want a lantern for ? I never us-d one when I was a young man.” “No, Sir,” was the yokel's reply; “ I didn’t think yer 'ad, judging by tha missis.”

Supposed Case or Drowning.—Arthur Howarde who had been employed as a fitter at the Addington workshops, is supposed to have met his death by drowning at Sumner. He was in the habit of bathing there every Saturday, and as he was seen on the beach last Saturday, it was concluded that lie was following out ids usual custom. A little later in the day his clothes wore found near to Bell’s bathing place, and have since been taken possession of hy the police authorities. The Press states that up to Sunday night all efforts to recover the body of Howard© were futile.

PEDKSTRIANISM.—At Titnaru on Saturday evening. Scott, the champion walker of New Zealand, attempted the feat of walking 14 miles in two hours, but failed, completing the distance in 2 hours 3 minutes. The course was laid off in Messrs i'ac'enn and Stewart’s Horae B.<ziar, there being eighty-eight yards to the lap. It is considered by many that Scott would have completed the distance within the two hours had the course been a bettor one. He was not much distressed at its conclusion. O’Connor and Clarke went on tke track during the evening, the former walking seven miles and the latter u shorter distance. Hetubn op Mb Baci.—Mr Frederick Back, Traffic Manager for the Canterbury Railways, returned to N.Z, by the s.e. Anrungi, which arrived at Port Chalmers la«fc Friday, and was a passenger to Christchurch by the special train which passed here early on Saturday morning. During his absence from the colony Mr Back busied himself in making himself acquainted with the working of the principal railway* in England. On his arrival in England he was kindly supplied with free passes over the various lines, and the directors of the Midland and London and North Western Companies placed all tbs information they possessed at his disposal. Mr Back confined his attention principally to the working of the lines belonging to (these Companies. He went over their works, made himself acquainted with the system of accounts and was supplied with copies of their traffic forms and returns. He went to Scotland, paid a flying visit to the Continent, and went through Holland, Belgium and France—everywhere being most courteously treated. The information gathered by Mr Back during his “ holiday ” trip cannot fail to prove of great advantage to the colony, and we are glad to learn that he baa returned greatly improved in health.

PBAYflas Eon Rais’. — At, the Episcopalian ■ind Roman Catholic Churches lust, Sunrt ay at ieniuka prayers were offered up for ram. Post.Ssssional Aoi)HS3g. —Mr J. Ivess, SULK, for Wakanui, add cessed » crowded meeting of his constituents on Saturday night, on the events of last session. A unanimous vote of confidence was carried.

Concert and Bam, at Winchester.— A concert and hall in aid of the prise fund of the Winchester School takes place on Friday, the 30th instant, and efforts are being made to make the programme of the concert an attractive and enjoyable one.

Ball at Oeari,— On Friday next the Dancing Class at Orari “ wind up ” with a ball in the Assembly Rooms, refreshments being provided. Particulars as to admission, etc,, will be found in our advertising columns. The San Phancisco Mail. —A contract for the new San Francisco mail service was completed last Friday by Sir Julius Yogel, as Postmaster-General ot New Zealand, and Mr Jas. Mills, on behalf of the Union Steam Shipping Company. The Zealandia and Aus* tialia will be temporarily employed between Sydney, Auckland, and Honolulu, connecting at the latter port with the fine aieamers of the Oceanic Company. The first mail under the new contract leaves Sydney on December 3rd. Dredging. —With reference to the offer of the timaru Harbor Board to lease the dredging plant of the Timaru Harbor Board the Lyttelton Board has agreed to lot it on the f Rowing terms The Tinuru Board to take possession of the plant at Lyttelton, and return the same in good order; to pay the sura of £ISOO free of all charge, for the rent of the plant. Any time in the excess of the three months to be paid for at the rate of £SOO per month ; the plant to be insured by the Timaru Board at their expense for £20,000, and also to indemnify the Lyttelton Board against damage or partial loss, and to pay all expenses.” The Lyttelton Board evidently know how to pile on the price. The Butt Tabbing Case.—Mr Sydney Muir, prosecutor in the recent tarring case, was last Friday arrested in Wellington on a charge of stealing two gold rings, and a photograph and book entitled ‘‘ Policy aad Passion," the property of the Bon. P. A, Buckley. The accused was at once taken before the Resident Magistrate, and admitted that he had a ring belonging to Mrs Buckley in his possession. Ihe fact was he picked the ring up one day and asked Mrs Buckley whose it was, and she replied that it belonged to Mr Buckley, whereupon he laughingly remarked lie should wear it till Mr Buckley asked him for it. The case was remanded until Tuesday next, bail being being allowed in one surety of £25 and prisoner's own recognisance in £SO. Who Gets the Profit ?—The Hamilton correspondent of the Auckland Herald says:—At the last meeting of the committee of the proposed Meat Tinning Company, a farmer present, not more than four years from England, gave an instance of the necessity of obtaining a better market for fat meat. Ho had just sent down a parcel of 25 fat sheep, 21 of which were wethers, to Auckland, the she.-p averaging about IdSlbs each. For these, after paying fees and commission of sale, ho received a return of £l7 4s lOd. In England these sheep, he says, would have brought m £IOO ; here they realised a mere fracion over IJd per lb. Now, it may be urged that the meat was too fat, but the fat, as fallow, was worth, in the Auckland market, £2B per ton, or exactly 3d per lb. Then there was the skin and the head. Surely it is time our settlers made some movement to secure for themselves their fair share of the profits of production. TIMABU AGRICULTURAL and Pastoral Association. —A meeting of the Committee of this Association was held last Saturday. The attendance was good and the President, Mr McLaren, occupied the chair. The Ground Committee reported that they had invited fenders for work required to be done on the grounds for the coming show, and had received two. That of E, McKnight, £8 7s 6d, was accepted. Mr John .Rutherford offered a prize of £5 5s for the boree that proved the best jumper over two flights of hurdles 3ft 6in high, only animals that have never been hunted or raced being allowed to compete. Mr John Imlah offered a prize of £2 for the best shod draught entire on the ground, the prize to go to the thoer of the horse. Both offers wero accepted with thanks. It was decided to advertise the show in the Christchurch papers. Class stewards were then .appointed. The Chairman reported that the Secretary (Mr P. W. Stubbs) had written to the Railway Department, suggest ing that special trains to Timaru should bo run from Christchurch, Ashburton and Oamaru on the show day, but the department had replied that they could not entertain the suggestion. It was decided to make further representations to the depaitment on the subject. Messrs Hook and (J. Miles were then elected members of the Association. Mr R. Stewart sent in his resignation as Hon. Treasurer to the Association, and the Secretary was instructed to see one or two gentlemen about the office. Messrs J. Batlantjne and A. Grant were made life members. The first-named gentleman forwarded £3 3s to be awarded as a special prize as the Committee saw fit. Accounts amounting to £2fi 15s were passed for payment and th* meeting terminated.

Patbnt Gohse Cuttbe. —The Ashburton Mail describes a patent gorse cutter bronght out by Mr J. Keir of Ashburton. It can be sold at from £l3 to £3O, On last Friday it was set to work on some high stiff fences, and the result was in every way satisfactory. The machine is so simple, that it needs little if any description. Briefly it might be stated the body or carriage consists of «n Osborne “reaper,” on the main wheel of which have been fixed IJin. angle iron grippers. Near the main wheel is a spindle and sprocket wheel, a pitch chain connecting these with the cutter spindle, which is supported by a wooden beam. At the end of the cutter spindle is «n iron arm with two knives, one at either end. As the machine travels the knives revolve at a great speed, and with a downward motion cut the fence. For trimming the top of the fence the machine is first canted up, this being accomplished by raising gear. The inner arm i* then taken off, and a ben lied pinionfixed in position, and on to this is fixed a short spindle, held by an iron clamp and two blocks of wood. The knives are then replaced, and the machine is ready for work again with the knives set at the required angle for giving to the top of the fence a neat appearance. When seen at work on this occasion the machine was being driven by Mr Hefford, who was using a couple of horses that bad never before been in the shafts of a gorsecutter, but, notwithstanding this, excellent work was done. The draught of the machine is very light, and it only requires two horses and one man to neatly trim any fence as fast a* a horse can walk. The objection to scattering the gorse hat been entirely overcome by the downward motion of the knives. Taken the machine is the most simple, effective, and cheapest gnrse-cutler we have seen or heard of, and Mr Knr U to be congratulated on baring produced an apparatus that will prove remunerative to himself and a great boon to the whole agricultural and pastoral community.

The Weather, —Yrtt'terHsy morning a most welcome change occurred in the weather. Ram commenced to fall shortly after 8 o’clock and continued with slight intermissions during the day. It cannot f-ol to do an immense amount of good, as the land in the district was quite parched with the long spell of dry weather recently experienced.

Episcopal Eccentricities,— -The Archbishop of York, preaching at Northallerton, startled people by saying that " Heaven and hell were not p'aces. If serious thought were given it, they could hardly he * placed,’ Heaven is above and hell is below, but where were the‘above* and ‘below’ in a world that turned round every day? No ; these are convenient figure*, and heaven and hell were found, even as Christ is, in the hearts of his people." Wifb Bsatbrs. —An exchange says : Flogging as a punishment for wife beaters is growing in favor in Maryland, U.S. At firstthought the idea seems repulsive, not (o say brutal, but of the good results of its practical application there is liitla doubt. So effectually has the fear of the cat-o’-nine-tails operated in Baltimore that several notorious wife beaters have barricaded their houses that they may not be disturbed by the police while engaged in their favorite pastime. Adjourned. The sheep smothering case Bailey v. Guilford, and cros* action for trespass, Guilford v. Bailey, were again adjourned yesterday on counsels’ application. As this case seems to involve a precedent both counsel and Magistrate intend to be well prepared with authorities bearing on the subject, when the final day comes. We understand another case of a similar nature between different parties will occupy the attention of the Court at its next sitting. Otjk Railways.— Mr Charles H. Topham, the gentleman who is engaged on a special descriptive tour of this colony for the Sydney Town and Country Journal, in his last article says ;—“ I have come to the conclusion that the rate of traveling is the slowest, their csrriages the worth appointed, and their fares tho most exorbitant of any railway in any part of the world 1 have visited ; and they do not pay—no wonder. Let the fares and tariff be reduced by one half, let their speed be increased fifty per cent., and let the first-class carriages be turned into second-class, and decent carriages put on the lines, and I think we shall not hear so much about railways in New Zealand not paying.” The Unemployed.— Mr Gray,Chairman of the Temuka Town Board, received a telegram a few days ago to the effect that the Government could find work for eight men in clearing the trees on the railway, and he was told that tho men he selected would get the work. Mr Gray accordingly made this known to the unemployed, with the result that about 13 of them waited on him yesterday morning, Mr Gray first selected the men who had received least work at the time they were employed in the Temuka Park recently, and then selected by ballot from the other men the number necessary to make up the eight. The men were well satisfied with this mode of selection, and those who were fortunate in being chosen went to work.—ln Christchurch yesterday morning a deputation of unemployed waited on Mr Holmes, M.H.R., and presented a petition signed by 40 married men. The petitioners stated that 300 signatures could bo got without difficulty. Mr Holmes promised to communicate with the Government. A Scolding Woman.— The barbarities of the ducking stool for the cure of scolding women, though abolished by law, are now oftentimes practiced by a kind of social barbarity none the let* reprehensible. Women scold only when are ill. In (tend of blaming them ve should prescribe Am. Oo.’s Hop Bitters. Th- entire system Will undergo a genial, pleasant o range. The nerves will be quieted and ace bity of worn and thought wilt give place to amiabititr and affection. Healthy women do ;noi scold or fret.—Read advt.

SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENIS

J. M, Naughton—Dance at Orai-i next Friday night.

W. A. Ensor—Concert and dance at Winchester on Friday the 30fch inst. A Maxwell, Saddler, Timaru—Announces that he manufactures all styles of harness at Christchurch and Dunedin prices, at the shortest notice. He solicits support for local industry and deals liberally with cash customers. His establishment is well worth a visit.