LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1481, 18 March 1886, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temps:a School Committee.—A meeting of the Temuka School Committee takes place this evening. Pleasant Point Races.—We ore obliged to hold over till our next issue an Recount of these races, which took place yesterday. Volcnteering.—lt is intended to hold another field day of South Canterbury Volunteers on the 25th March at Timaru.

Grain and Wool.—Up to the present 23,196 bales of wool have arrived in Timaru this seasori. 40,908 sacks of grain have arrived. The Member for Gladstone. —It is rumored that Mr J. H. Snt'er, M.H.R. for Gladstone, does not intend to seek reelection, illhealtli and private affairs being the cause.

Band Contest.—The following Bands have entered for the Easter contest at Oamaru : —Christchnrch Garrison,Timaru Garrison, Oamaru Garrison, Invercaigill Garrison, Port Chalmers Garrison, Addington Workshops, Stanmore, Timaru City, Kaikorai Volunteer, and Queenstown Volunteer. "Tea Fight" at Waiiohi.—Our readers in the Waitohi District are raminded that the Salvation Army hold a great " Tea fight" in the schoolroom to-morrow evening. Tea will be on the tables at half-past six o'clock. The "salvation meeting," which will take place afterwards, will be led by Captain Williams and some 30 soldiers.

Meeting at Arowhknui. —A meeting of in the Government Township of Arowhenua householders will be held on Saturday evening at Bellgrove Cottage (Mr Edgeler's residence) to consider the advisability of forming the settlement into a Town District. The subject is an important one to the residents, and no doubt they will muster in force and well discuss the subject. District Cotjbt, Timaett. —A sitting of the District Court, took place on Tuesday. His Honor granted A. M. Allan an order of discharge. May 6th was fixed as the date on which James Quinlsn should apply for his discharge, and next Court day when John Wright should make a similar application. The public examination of James Macdonald was declared dosed, Mr Knubley notifying that he should oppose the bankrupt's discharge, as he kept no books. Judgment whs given for defendants in the civil case Duval v. The Royal Flouring Mill Company, claim £52.

The Electric Light Swindle.—ln reference to the " Norman Electric Light Co., Philadelphia," advices received here from New York by last mail show that the Company consisted of one man named Etnil Bassett, with many aliases, who advertised cheap watshes and eleotric lamps in the newspapers all over the world* He haa been arrested, and when the mail left was awaiting his trial for devising a scheme to defraud. The authorities swept down on Bassett before he had had time to reap the fruit of his scheme, but since his4ncarceration so many letters have come for. him as to convince the police that if he had.been allswed to go on for two or three months he would have received fifty, or sixty thousand dollars. Presbyterian Chtjrch,—A congregational, visitation of the Presbyter}' of Souih Canterbury was held last evening in the Presbyterian Church, Temuka. The Rev. Mr McKee (Moderator) presided, and the other members of the Presbytery present were the Barclay and Gillies and Mr Stewart. There was a very large congregation. A resolution was carried sympathising witli the Rev. MrMackintosli in hiß illness, and referring the difficulty with regard to infant baptism to the Presbytery. The Presbytery then passed a resolution expressing regret at the difficulty having arisen, and a'so a hope that it would be amicably settled. A report of the proceedings will appear io our next is3ue. The meeting lasted until 10 o'clock.

Sodden Death at Pleasant Point.— Quite a gloom was cast over Pieasant Point on Tuesduy when it becam« known that a highly respected resident, Mr John Campbell Stewart, had died Biiddenly shortly after 2 o'clock that morning. To all appearances Mr Siewart was in his usual health when he retired to rest the previous evening, but shortly after midnight he was seized with dreadful pains and before the medical aid which was summoned had arrived lie expired. The deceased was krwwn to have heart disease and t'>is is supposed to huve been the cause of his death. Mr Stewnrt had not been long in the colony, and but recently had settled'at the .Point, where he onrchased the farm of Mr 11. Jackson. He leaves a wife and family to mourn his loss, and will be deeply regretted by a large circle of fnonda.

Parliament.—lt is definitely decided that Parliament will be called together for the despatch of business during the first or second week of May. CeoWN Lahds.—The upset price at auction of quarter-acro sections in the townships of Arowhenna, Geraldine, Sooth ilnngitata, Sonth Rakftis, Waimnto, and Bealey, have been reduced to £7 10s, and for deferred payment sections at Arowhftnu to £lO. The Unemployed.—According to the Press forty-five applicants from the ranks of the unemployed were on Monday presented by the Public iVorks Department with passes t~> take them to Greymouth. About fifl y-five of the unemployed left on Monday night by the steamer Pelham for the West Coast, and forty-three left on Tuesday afternoon by the Koranui for the same destination.

Geraldine Eifles. —lt is notified by (he Captuin commanding the Geraldine Rifles that a Church parade will take place on Sunday next, 21st inst. Members are requested to fall in at 10.30 a.m., at the Oddfellows' Hall, in uniform, with white gloves and belts; without pouches or side arms. On Tuesday next the annual meeting of the members of tlie corps will take place in the Oddfellows' Hill at 7.30 p.m. A full attendance is requested.

Miraculous Escape. —On last Tuesday Mr P. O'Meara, of Milford, had a very miraculous escape from almost certain death. He was driving a horse and dray along the road which crosses the Opihi river near Milford, and as he was approaching the ford the horse shied at something and bolted. The horse turned towards the bank of the river and went so near going over it, that some of the ground gave way from under bis feet. Mr O'Meara, however, succeeded in pulling him back, but in turning round one wheel went orer the bank. Singularly enough the dray did not turn over, but rested on the bank with the wheel hanging over the side, and the axle lying on the top, and thus it remained until Mr Lavery assisted Mr O'Meara in removing it. The bank was between ten and fifteen feet deep at the place, and if tho horse and dray had gone over Mr O'Meara would undoubtedly have been killed.

Fire AT Geealdine.—On Tuesday evening a two-roomed cottage situated on the North branch of the Waihi river, opposite St, Mary's Church, Geraldine, was destroyed by fire. The cottage was occupied by Mr E. O'Brien and family. At about ten o'clock Mrs O'Brien had occasion to go into the bodroom and accidentally upset a kerosene lamp She quickly called Mr O'Brien, who was outside, and he rushed in only in time to save the three small children who were in bed, the flames of the burning kerosene having quickly ran up the walls of the room and lighted the thatched roof. Everything in the room in the shape of furniture, clothing, etc., ws's destroyed, bs there was barely time to save the children. A few articles in the kitohen Mr O'Brien managed to throw out, but beyoni these he loses everything. As the house is some distance from any other, a little time elapsed before assistance arrived, and then it was too late to do anything. BnnEP Doa Trial—A sheep dog trial took place at the Hakateramea on Friday last in the presence of a large number of spectators. In the Herding CU'ss 15 dogs competed. Three wild, strong, young merino ewes were liberated, and the dog was expected to head them on the bill, bring them down the slope between the flags, and pen them within twenty minutes. The shepherd was not allowed to go : more than twentyfive yards from the pen. The tri*l resulted as follows -.—First prize £lO, Mr D. Beatton's Scott, 3 years ; second prize £7, Mr J. Cunningham's Queen, 3 years ; third prize £4, Mr H. McDonald's Yarrow, 3 years. In the Hunlaway class there were five starters. The task Bet the dogs was to drive four iheep between two flags on the hill side, half a mile from the starting point. It resulted as follows :—First prize £lO, MrD. McFarlane's Spot, aged ; second prize £7 Mr J. Menzies' Help, 3 years; third prize £4, Mr D. McKenzie's Roy, aged. Thk Railway Taeif3?.—The Wellington correspondent of the Press states that he has ascertained, on inquiry, that the alterations in the railway rates made by the special proclamation just issued are practically as follow:—The freight on milk conveyed to cheese and butter factories is reduced to one farthing per gallon for every additional ten miles, instead of fifteen, after the first fifteen miles. The grain rates are still further reduced for distances from five miles to sixteen ; from one mile to four, no alteration, At four miles the rates are reduced by Id per ton per mile, and five miles by 3d ; at six mi es by sd, at seven miles by 7d, at eight miles by 9d, at nine miles by 6d, at ten miles by 7d, and then decreasing, until at sixteen miles the reduction is Id ; and at seventeen miles and upward there is no alteration. A new scale is also introduced for the conveyance of store Bheep in large flocks for distances of 100 miles and upwards. If certified by the consignor to be bona fide " store stock," not consigned for slaughter, the charge will be 58a 9d per truck for the first 100 miles, and for each additional mile 3d per truck per mile. Special rates are also presented for the new ;Greymouth breakwater line.

The University Senate. —At the University Senate at Christohurch on Monday, the following wore appointed examiners tor the entrance examinations :—For Classics, the Eev. J. C. Andrews; for French, M. VTuret • for German, the Rev. Dr Salmond , for Physios, Professor F- D. Brown ; for Chemistry, Professor Bickerton 5 for Biology, Professor Hutton ; for English, Dr Posnotfc ; for History and Geography, Professor Brown, Dunedin ; for Mathematics, Professor Cook (Arithmetic, Euclid, and Mechanics for matriculation) ; 'and Professor Shand (for the junior scholarship papers and Algebra matriculation). The Hon, J. A. Tole was appointed Governor of Auckland College and Grammar School. It was decided that the convocation meet in Dunedin on January 12th 1887. As to the recognition of the degrees of the University by other Universities, it appears that the Chancellor's letter, addressed to ninotoen bodies, had been answered by only live. It was decided that the correspondence be reopened. At present the Dublin University extends the Bame privileges to colonial graduates in Arts as to giaduates of Universities in the United Kingdom, Sydney University will admit our graduates to ad eundem degrees. The General Medical Council recognises the " entrance examination," and states that this is the only examination which by law it is enabled to recognise, and by £he consolidated regulations of the four Inns of Court, any public examination of any University in the British j dominions is accepted instead of the preliminary examination. It was moved by Professor J. M. Brown—" That the examiner in history be requested to frame his questions for the B.A. pass so as to bring out the intelligence of students, and to attach subordinate importance to mere facts and dates." The motion was agreed to on a division by nine to four. The Senate con- j eluded its session on Tuesday afternoon. The next annual meeting will be held in Dunedin, but a special meeting will be held j at Christohurch next month for sonferring degrees and other business.

St. Patrick's College, Wellington. —At St. Patrick's College yesterday morning a statue of St, Patrick, presented to the College by the Primate of Ireland, was uuveiled by Bishop Redwood and occasion was laken to present Bishop Red «rood with an address and a parse of eleven hundred sovereigns oa behalf of the parishioners of his diocese.

Scotsbukn School.—The annual distribution of prizes to the children attending the Scotsburn Schoel took place on Saturday afternoon, in the schoolroom. A number of parents and friends of the pupils were also present. Previous to the prizes being awarded, the work of the Sowing Class was inspected by Misses Hadfield and Pritchard, who had kindly consented to judge the sewing. The gymnastic competition also took place, and was very good, the boys going through their various performances in a highly creditable manner, notwithstanding the heavy shower of rain which fell h\ that time, and Messrs Dennistoun and Barker had great difficulty in deciding who were the successful competitor*. At the close of the competition a movement was made for the schoolroom, where the prizes were to be distributed. Mr Barker, Chairman of the School Committee, referred to the satisfactory nature of the Inspector's report, and expressed great pleasure at the progress of the children, and mentioned that the prizes were awarded on the basis of the Inspector's marks. Miss Hadfield, assisted by Mr Birker, then presented the prizes. The following being; the list :—Standard IV.—William J. Pithie ani Margaret "La'neford (equal), 1; Frank Ritchie, 3. Standard lll,—lsabel Pithie, 1 ; Hannah Salt, 2; Albert Sowerby, 3 ; Jane McMillan and William Langford (equal), 4. Standard ll.—Alexander McLeod, 1 ; Marion Thew, 2; Edith Pithie, 3. Standard I.—John Thew, 1 ; Charles Jenkins, 2. Infants, Upper DivisionEliza McKay, 1 ; Martha Hewson, 2; Rebecca Hanford, 3. In the Lower Division each chiid receiyed a book. Sewing—Jane McMillan, 1; Marion Thew and Jeßsie Whetton, 2; Martha Hewson, 3. Gymnastics—John Thew, 1 ; Albert Sowerby, 2 ; Charles Thew, 3. Drawing—John Pithie, 1 ; Maggie Langford, 2. Map Drawing—Frank Ritchie. Good Attendance —Martha Hewson. The prizes were well-bound books, neat writing desks, and work-boxes, very suitable for presentation to children. The proceedings terminated with cheers for Miss Hadfield, Mr Barker, and the teacher. Inquest at Temtjka.—On Tuesday morning last an inquest was held before Mr J. S. Beswick, Coroner, on the body of George Henry Prattley, son of Mr Eli Prattley, who met hi§ death by accident on the previous evening. The inquest was held at Mr Prattler's residence. The following jury was empanelled:—Messrs J. Austin, Hart, My, Nicholas, Edgworth, and Bealey. Mr Austin was chosen foreman. The following evidence was taken : —Jane Prattley : On Monday evening, about 5.30,1 sent the deceased to put a mare in the yard for me, and desired him to leave her there. After some ten minutes' time I went out of the house to the yard, and found my boy with his head between two bars of the gate leading to the yard ; the rest of his body was lying across the other bars. He was then quite dead. I called Mr Smith, and he took the boy from the gate, and I then immediately sent for Dr Singleton, who, aftsr making an examination, pronounced life to be extinct. —To the Coroner : The boy had often cloßed the gate previous to the accident. A day or two before his father had accidentally broken the wire which did duty as a hinge at the top of the gate, and I think tho deceased was not aware the wire was broken.—William Smith, of Milford, said : I was in Prattley's yard on Monday evening, and walked out past the gate at which the accident took place. I had gone about 7 chains from the house when Mrs Prattley called out to me, I immediately returned to the yard, and found deceased fixed in the gate, one bar of which pressed tightly on the baok of hit head and another held him firmly under the lower jaw, The deceased's head was so securely jammed between the bars that I had to twist his body completely round before I could extricate him. The gate had not been closed at all, it seemed to have canted right over on deceased. It would be about five minutes from the time I left the yard till I returned.—Dr Singleton having been called away, the evidence of Constablo Morton was taken,—Constable Morton deposed : At a quarter to seven on Monday evening I received information of the accident, and on reaching the farmhouse I found Dr Singleton examining the deceased, who, he said, had then been dead some time. There was an extensive scalp wound on the back of deceased's head, which extended well on to the crown, but there was scarcely any blood about the wound. The doctor could not tell me whether the cause of death was fracture of the neck, or suffocation.—The Coroner having summed up, the jury after a short consultation returned a verdict of " Accidental death,"

Solloway'B Pills.- Invalids distracted by indigestion and dißOOuraged in their search for its remedy should make trial of this never failing medicine. A lady, long a martyr to dyspeptio tortures, writes that Holloway's Pill made her feel ae if a burden had been taken off her. Her spirits, formerly low, have greatly improved ; her capricious appetite has given place to healthy hunger, her dull, sick headache has departed, and gradually so marvellous a change has been effected that she is altogether a new creature, and again fit for her duties. These Pill .may be administered with safety to the most delicate. They never act harshly, nor do they ever jnduce weakness ; they rightlv direct deranged, and control excessive, action.