LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1473, 27 February 1886, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Picnic. —The choir of St. Mary’s Episcopalian Church, Geraldine, held their annual picnic at, Woodside, the residence of Mr W. U. Slack, yesterday.

The Old ’Frisco Mail Steamers.—lt is understood that information has been received from San Francisco by Sir Julius Yogel to the effect that Spreokles’ Oceanic Company has bought from Pearce the steamships Australia and Zsalandia.

The Ashburton Woollen Factory.— The Guardian states that by the outgoing San Francisco mail the Directors of the Ashburton Woollen Company have ordered a quantity of additional machinery for the factory, including a complete electric lighting plant.

Thb N.Z. Bible Association Meeting.— One hundred and fifty entries have been received for the New Zealand Rifle Association’s meeting at Wanganui. Representatives are arriving daily, and it is expected that fully 230 will be present. The weather is fine, and the range satisfies (lie visitors.

Wheckage. —From the Guardian we learn that Mr Anthony Eyreton, a farmer at Seafiold, reported to the Ashburton police yesterday morning thsxt a ma-s of timber, evidently part of a wrecked vessel, was washed up on (ho sea beach on Thursday, The wreckage is about 20ft square, and consists of timber partly covered with copper. Political. —The Wellington correspondent of the Press writes “ A rumor Was afloat, on Thursday, and was even discussed at some meetings of public bodies, that the Premier hud had an interview with the Governor, and hod succeeded in obtaining a proavse of a dissolution. This report is manifestly absurd, but as it may reach you in soma distorted shape I deem it right to say that I have the best authority for giving it an unqualified contradiction.” Church or England.— The Revs. Boddington and Mason, two Church of England missionaries who have recently come out to this colony for (he purpose of holding mission services, were received publicly in Christchurch last Thursday evening by the Most Rev. the Primate, and the principal clergymen of the city. they commenced to preach in Christchurch last night. In lire course of time it is expected they will visit this district, but the probabilities are that they will not reach here before next May.

Arrival or the Aoeangi.— The B.M.S. Aonngi arrived off Otago Heads from Plymouth at 3.20 p.ra. on Thursday, after a splendid voyage, including stoppages, of 39 days 12 hours, the total steaming lime being 37 days 3 hours, or 5 days and 12 hours in advance of her contract time. She brings 53 saloon and 78 steerage passengers, and 275 bags of mails, besides 2458 tons ot cargo. The pn.'uenge'S are all well, and, except a gale and high sea in the Bay of Biscay, the passage has been a fine weather one.

C.Y.O. Cup Match.— On Wednesday last the members of the C.Y.O. residing in the Geraldine district fired for the eup presented for competition among the members of the corps by Mr Chns. Green, of Tirauru, The ranges fired over were 200, 300, and 400 yard*, five shots at each. Trooper PostL-

thwaite made the good score of 42, Trooper Webster coming next with 32. So far a* the competition has gone, Trooper Miles, of Timaru, is the highest scorer, having made 44 points. Trooper Postlethwaite’s score is all the more creditable through having been made without previous practice,

Resident Magistrate's Court, Geraldine. — ihe usual fortnightly sitting of thb Court will be held on Monday next at halfpast twelve.

Bread.- -Messrs R. Darroch, J, Marshall, T. Barr, and E. Lee, bakers, Temnka, notify that on and after Monday next the price of bread will be sixpence tite 41b loaf. Public Meeting at Geraldine. —This evening a publics meeting of Oiose interested in the formation of a Fire Brigade will be held in the Town Board Office, Geraldine. The matter is of vital importance to the town, and in consequence the attendance of ratepayers should bo large.

Geraldine Monthly Stock Sale. —The attention of stock dealers and others is called to the entries for the Geraldine Monthly Stock Sale on Wednesday next. The entries comprise a very large number of sheep of all classes, cattle, draught horses, harness, etc. Additional entries will be received to hour of sale. Mr K. F. Gray also advertises entries to date.

Public Meeting at Ob ahi Bridge.— Farmeis and settlers living between the Orari and Waihi rivers are reminded that a public meeting takes place in the Orari Bridge Schoolman this evening, to consider the advisability of having the district proclaimed a “ Water Race District.’’ The subject of irrigation is of the utmost importance to farmers—the benefit of irrigation in such a dry season as we have just experienced would have been immense in many parts of the district—and we hope to see a largo gathering and the matter well discussed. Wool Manufacturing in India. —The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, have received the following advice from their Calcutta agents, and no doubt the raatler will interest woolgrowers and others : —“ Correspondence appears in the Daily Press regarding the manufacture of Australian and New Zealand wool in this country. The article would have to be made very cheaply to compete to any considerable extent with the cotton cloth here, but it is not intended that the consumption should bo confined to British possessions. There is plenty of labor available, and the natives are naturally very skilful; such woollen manufactories as there are pay their way handsomely.”

Stiuhgb A i/legation.— A Mrs Neilson reports to the Wairarapa Daily that her daughter, Annie Neilson, who has been missing for some time, returned home last Wednesday night. She states that her daughter was cruelly treated by a Wellington employer and tried to escape, but was captured and conveyed to the Asylum, where she had been detained three months. This week she alleges that in consequence of (he publicity given to the case the Asylum authorities returned her to her late employer who sent her back to her parents in Master, ton. The Asylum and poliee authorities deny the statement made by Mrs Neilsonthat her daughter was confined in the Asylum, and Mrs Neilson’s statement is believed to be unfounded.

Volunteer Field Day.—On Thursday last members of tire various volunteer companies in South Canterbury musteredin Timaru for the pmpose of having several hours exercise in battalion and other drill. The muster was 261 of all ranks, the season of the year being against a large attendance of the country corps. The following were present : Timaru Naval Artillery, 45, C ipiain Meason, officer commanding; C Battery, N.Z. Artillery, 48, Lieut. Jackson; Timaru Rifles, 58, Captain White ; Temuka Rifles, 17, Captain Hayhurst ; Geraldine Rifles, 23, Captain Moore ; Ashburton Rifles, 31, and Ashburton Guards, 14, Captain Douglas ; Waimate Rifles, 25, Captain Studholme. The Waimate Rifles arrived by the early train, and the Ashbuiton, Geraldine, and Temuka Rifles by the express. The men amused themselves as best they could about the town until 2 o’clock, when “Failin’’ was sounded at Messrs Grade and Co’s, auction rooms. The roll was then called, and the companies of Rifles and Guards were so disposed that the battalion was told off into six companies. Lieutenant-Colonel Bailey, Commandant of the South Canterbury Garrison District, was in charge of the battalion ; Major Harnersley undertook the duties of Senior Major; Major Newall performed the double duties of Junior Major and Adjutant, and was assisted by StaffSergeant Major Jones, as battalion Sergeant Major. Advance guards, composed of files of the Navals, and rear guards of Rifles, were then thrown out, and the whole of the companies advanced in succession from the front, headed by the Timaru Garrison Band. The spot selected for the manoeuvres was the Maori Reserve, to the north of Timaru. Arrived on the ground no time was wasted. The manual, bayonet, and firing exorcises were gone through capitally by the several corps. The bayonet exercise was an improvement on that which took place in the Temuka Park a short time ago. The volley and independent firing was fair, but on the the part of many of the men hesitation was noticeable during the volley firing. After these exercises battalion drill was gone through, and the formation for aitack followed. The battalion movements were done smartly, and tiie men behaved remarkably well in the attack. The skirmishing was well done, and the firing excellent. The final charge was most spirited. After re-forming the men marched past in quick time, and afterwards at the double. The volunteers were then matched back to town and dismissed. Most of the Waimate, Geraldine, and Temuka men went away again by rail, the trains having been delayed for them ; but the Ashburton men remained in town. An Aiabastbb Pox.— Young i ir’.sfinding their complexion groif ng sallow, and thoir akin becoming rough or freckly, resort to perfumed ointments for a restoration of their hloom. Ail such should R>a Americm Go’s. Hop Uittars, which will restore bloom to oae*k o , whiteness and beauty to (heir complexion, rask'ng rich blood, good health, and happy smites. Rjad Advt.

SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS

Bread Notice —Price of the 41b loaf raised to 6d in Temuka. J, Munde’l and Co, —Publish entries for Monthly Stock Sale at Geraldine on Wednesday next, JL F. Gray—Sails station ewes, cattle, horses, and pigs at the Geraldine monthly sale on Wednesday, Biegert and Fauvel, Temuka—Draw attention to monster cash clearing sale of drapery and clothing which they are now holding, and quote prices of some of the leading lines.

J. Ballantyne and Co., Victoria House, Timaru—Notify that they are opening vc*ry choice novelties in mantles, visites, dolmans, hats, drew materials, plush frillings, etc., and invite an early inspection)