LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1486, 30 March 1886, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

COMMERCIAL.—A quantity of commercial intelligence will be found on our fourth page. Parliament, —Parliament will bo called together for the despatoli of business on the 13th May. R.M. Court, Temuka. —A first offender was lined 5s in the above Court yesterday by Mr K. F. Gray, J.P. Divorce. —We are credibly informed that there is pending a divorce cast?, in which the parties are residents of Temuka. Thu Shooting Season. — The shooting season opens on Thursday next. Game appears to be plentiful, but shy. Hansen v. Bandekson. — The appeal of the defendant in tins ease against the decision given in the District Court, Timani, has been dismissed with costs. Volunteer Encampment. The encampment at Timi.ru broke up on Saturday last. During the ten days the men were in camp obey went through some real hard work. Geraldine Monthly Sale. The monthly sale of s'oek, etc., at the Geraldine yards takes place to-morrow, the 31st. Meisr-J. Mundell and Co, advertise large entries of sheep, lambs, and cattle. Electoral Addresses. —The Hon. W. Rollston, will address his const.it ue>.ts in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka, this evening, and in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Geraldine, to-mirrow evening. Complimentary Dinner. —The complimentary to Captain Moore, of the Geraldine Rifle Cores, takes place in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Geraldine, 10-nieht. Every member of the Corps is requested to be present. Bankruptcy. Several of the Temuka tradesmen have signed a requisition to the Hon. Mr Rolleston asking him to bring under the notice of the legislature the desirability of altering or abolishing the Bankruptcy Act. Monster Turnip. — A large turnip is now on view at. the shop of Mr B. Wood, produce merchant, Geraldine, which was grown on the farm of Mr L. Wilson, adjoining the racecourse. It. measures m circumference 42 inches and weighs 261 b. It is of the Purple Top Mammot.li species. Industrial Exhibition. —The date for receiving entries for the Industrial Exhibition, in connection with the United Binds of Hope on Easter Monday in Timaru, lias been postponed. The show i« expected to be a great success, as, besides the articles sent for competition, it is anticipated there will be a great many for exhibition only. Action for Slander. —It is rumored that a certain threshing machine owner in the Temuka district is about to commence an action for slander against another threshing machine owner. The slander consists in the defendant having said that heremoved his machine out of the locality because he was afraid the plaintiff would burn it. The Rimutaka.— The R.M.S. Rimutaka arrived at Port Chalmers at 2 p.m. on Friday. The Rimutaka has a large passenger list, and brings 134 nominated immigrants, principally far Auckland. She has 1939 tons of cargo, and 286 bags of mails. The p ssengers all enjoyed good health. She left Plymouth on February 14tb, and reashed Capetown on March sth. Her passage from Plymouth occupied 39 days 12 hours 57 minutes. This is the fastest passage on record between Plymouth and New Zealand, bea'ing the lace magnificent run of the R.M.S. "Aorangi by 1 hour 25 minutes, and the best passage of the s.s. Arawa by 4 hours 45 minutes. The Timaru Herald. —A few issues ago we called attention to the fact that the Timaru Herald had never taken any notice of any of the local industries of the district. Our contemporary has taken the hint, and published a description of the Temuka Butter, Cheese, and Baconcurim' Factory. We may as well remind it that the Temuka Linseed Factory and the Geraldine Dairy Factory are yet uu- ■ touched, and that, as charity begins at home always, it. might as well look after the Woollen Factory in Timaru also. Out of gratitude for having pointed out the course it ought to follow, it might as well give the Temuka Leader and Geraldine Guardian a notice. Their production gives employment to ten persons, and ought to be regarded as a good local industry. When our contemporary has finished the work we have mapped out for it, we shall be glad to give it a few more hints. So long as it is satisfied to play second fiddle to this paper wo are satisfied,

Libel.—On Saturday Dr Ned will was examined at great length for the plaintiffs in the Christchurch Hospital libel case, Stewart v. Roydhousa and Wakefield, This concluded the evidence, and Mr Stout haring addressed the Court for the defendant* and Mr Stringer for the plaintiff, His Honor summed up at considerable length. The jury retired at ton minutes t» six to consider ihe veidict. At 6.30 the Foreman came into Court aud asked if the verdict of nine would be taken i.s there wa» no likelihood of them comiig to any unanimous conclusion. His Honor replied that the jury must be out three hours, and at the expiration ot that time he would take a verdict of nine. After three hours the jury answered the issues as follows:—!. Is the article complained of a libel ?—Yes. 2. Has its publication been justified—(a) By reason of the allegation of its being true?—No; (b) By reason of the allegations being fair comments on the conduct of the plaintiff in his capacity as one of the Hospital Staff ? —No. If not justified by either of the above reasons, what damages is the plaintiff entitled to recover f - One shilling. The jury added the recommendation that the Government should institute a rigid inquiry into the management of the Christchurch Hospital,

Victoria Lodge.—A meeting of (he Victoria Lodge, Geraldine, wis held on Friday evening last. Owing to the wet weather many country members were not present, but tha attendance shewed that the Lodge is gradually returning to its former healthy slate. Bro. P. Grimmer, N.G, occupied the chair. The business was purely of a routine nature, and the lodge was closed at the hour of 9.15. Benefit Concert At Hilton. —The concert at Hilton in aid of Mr James Walker, who owing to a long illness has been unable to provide for the wants of himself and family, takes place on Thursday evening next—Friday evening last, the night originally fixed upon, having proved very wet and unpleasant. The programme will be one of the best ever offered in the district, and should attract a large audience. The Lyttelton Orphanage. The dismissal of the Master and Matron of the Lyttelton Orphanage (Mr and Mrs Hitchey) by the Charitable Aid Board has given risu to the liveliest dissatisfaction, the public being of opinion that the dismissed persona have been most unjustly treated. On Saturday nighc a large public meeting was held at Christchurch, when resolutions were passed condemning the dismissals as unjust and harsh, calling upon the Board to resign, and suggesting that the Lyttelton Orphanage should bo taken out of the hands of the Board and conducted as a seperate institution. Humane Society. —We have received the following letter :— “Sir, —I have the honor, by direction of Mr Baddeley,R.M,, to inform you that the Royal Humane Society of Australasia is anxious to obtain tlie names of gentlemen who would be willing to act as honorary correspondents in your district for the Society. Would you, in the interests of so excedent an object, give all the publicity in your power towards obtaining the names. Should any persons desire to do so would they kindly forward their names and addresses to Capt. Payne, R.N., Selhourne Chambers, Little Collins Street West, Melbourne.—l have, etc., J. R. Colter, Clerk Ashburton R.M. Court. March 27th, 1886. ”

Temuka and Geraldine A. and P. Association. —A meeting of the Committee of the Temuka and Geraldine Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held last Saturday afternoon, in the Star Hotel, Temuka. Mr R. A. Barker occupied the chair. The Committee have not met since the 10th of August, 1883, and it is about three years since they were elected. It was, therefore, a question as to whether they still held office, as they were originally elected only for 12 months. The law, however, provides that they shall hold office until their successors are elected, so the difficulty was got over. The members present were—Messrs R. A. Barker (President), J. Paterson (Yice. President), M. Quinn, A. Grant, and J, M. Twomey. The minutes of the 10th of August, 1883, were duly confirmed. It was decided to hold a Ram and Ewe Patron Thursday the 15th of April next, the entrance fees to be as follows :—For the first ten rums fid per head ; and for every ram over that number, 31 j for a mob of sheep of 100, fid per score, and for every score over that 2d per score. As the Treasurer of the Association was unavoidably absent, it was decided to eclj mm the meeting to next Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. at the same place. Geraldine School Committee.—The regular monihly meeting of the Geraldine School Committee was held in the schoolroom on last Friday evening. Present— Messrs N. Dunlop (Chairman), A. Sherratt, and R. S. Cook. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Correspondence was read from the Board of Education stating that one desk and one form had been forwarded to Geraldine addressed to the Chairman of the School Committee ; also, acknowledging the letter from the School Committee of the 16th instant and stating that the same, with estimate, hac been referred to the Building Committee for their consideration ; also, asking hew many Committee meetings had been held during the past year, aud the name of the Secretary; also, stating that Mr W. J. Steward had resigned li is seat on the Board, and requesting the Committee to nominate someone in his place on or before the 31st instant. The head master reported that for the past four weeks the average attendance had been 189, for Ihe past week 203, and for the quarter ending the 31st March it would in all probability be about 188. He also suggested that an application should be made to the Board to appoint Mr Erakine second master. An attendance of 183 entitled the school to the services of a second master at a salary of £BO per annum. As the sowing class had not been examined, it would be well if some ladies were appointed to inspect and report on the work, so that prizes might be given to the children who had produced the best results. It was resolved —“ That the Chairman write to the Board making application for the services of a second master, and recommending the appointment of Mr Erskine.” It was resolved “ That the Chairman write to Mrs Totton asking her if she would kindly inspect the sewing at the school. The Visitors reported that they found the school in good working order, and all the teachers in their respective places. Accounts to the amount of £3 4s 6d were passed for payment. The meeting then adjournel.

Timabu A, and P. Association. —The annual meeting of the members of the Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association took place ok Saturday afternoon. There was a large attendance, and Mr D. McLaren, the President, occupied the chair. The annual report was read. Regarding the site of the show ground it stated that the Committee had concluded to accept an offer of the Messrs Rhodes to beep the present grounds at a rental of £52 per annum, in preference to the 8. C. Jockey Club’s offer of a site for £25 per annum, the-coat of the removal of yards, etc., being very great. The spirited efforts that were made to reduce the overdraft of the Association had been most successful. The financial year dosed with an overdraft of only £75, and outstanding liabilities of about £55, an improvement of nearly £370 when compared with last year, and m-xt year the Committee anticipated the Association would be free of debt. It had been decided by resolution to give subscribers of £lO to the special debt fund a life membership ticket when asked for. The prize list and regulations had been revised with very satisfactory results. Implements were now left out of the prize list altogether and eutered for exhibition only. The annual horse parade barely paid expenses, only fourteen entries being received. The show on the whole was fairly satisfactory from a financial point of view, leaving a balance to credit of £BS over and above expenses. The entries in all classes numbered 605 ; of these 76 entries were for exhibition only, being mostly implements. The report concluded mentioning a number of persons

to whom the special thanks of the Association were due, and urged upon members to use every endeavor to increase the membership list. The report was adopted, and tho Chairman was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Mr William Moody was elected President of the Association, and Mr Geofg», Rhodes Vice-President, the Committee for the year being Messrs W. Balfour, A. M. Clark, A, E, Cox, R. Davie, E. Elworthy, H. Ford, J. Goldie, A. Grant, K. E. Gray, W. Hay, E. Kell and, A. Turnbull, R. Mftokay, O. N. Orbell, J. Page, A. C. Pringle, D. McLaren, J. G. Dennistoun, J. 8. Rutherford, Wm. Stevenson, T. Tesehemaker, John Talbot, George Talbot, and A. Wylie j Secretary, Mr P. W. Stubbs; Treasurer, Mr W. Moody. It was decided to write to the Hon. W. Rolloston and several other gentlemen asking them lo become members. It was also decided to hold the meeting on the second Saturday in each month, and to hold the annual horse v parade in the Spring, on a day to bo fixed by the Committee, A sub-Oommitteo wa* appointed to revise the members’ list with power to strike out the names of those yvho have not paid their annual subscriptions. Mr K. E. Gray suggested that papers be read before the members on such subjects as change of grain, the various bresda of sheep, etc., mentioning that it was done in North Canterbury, and he thought it would do much good. The matter was referred to the Committee, Don’t Dikinthb House,—“ Rough on Eats ” clears out rats, mice, beetles, roaches, bed bugs, flies, ants, insects, moles, jack* rabbits, gophers. Kempthorna, Prosier and 00., Christchurch. 1 The Lite of an M.T?. —An M.P., deploring the evil effects of London habits oa the health, said that wore it were not for the American Co.’s Hop Bitters he could not live through with the irregular hours he was forced to keep. Said he ; “As soon as I feel weak and exhausted from long night sessions and meals at irregular hours, I resort to my Hop Bitters instead of stimulants. They regulate my bowels and keep. my appetite good, my brain clear, and my strength and healthare preserved.” See Advt.

SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS. Benefit Concert at Hilton —Postponed till Thursday next. Thomas Palmer, Temuka Wants two men to dig and pit potatoes. Mrs Copestake, Registry Office, Temuka— Wants cook and laundress, aud good general servant. “Ihe Slockwhip”—Can be obtained at Temuka Leader and Geraldine Guabdiaw Offices. Price 3d. J. Brown, Beehive Stores, Temuka —An* n ounces that he is now selling new goods at wholesale prices. He has just received his first shipment of winter drapery, and has a splendid display of millinery and gentlemen’s clothing, etc,, etc. For the shooting season he has every requisite, guns, cartridges, powder, shot, etc., and this also is to be sold very cheap.