LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1561, 25 September 1886, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Railway Rates.— The Gazette published on Thursday night contains a scale of fares, rates, and charges for New Zealand railways, to come into force on October 4th.

Bank Holiday. — Friday, October Ist, will be observed as a holiday at the Temuka and Geraldine offices of the Bank of New Zealand and Bank of New South Wales, Pbomotions. —The Gazette notifies that Captain W., G. Moore, of the Geraldine Rifles, has been promoted major ; and Major J. A. Young, unattached, to be quartermaster. Captain W. Bt. G, Douglas, of the Ashburton Rifles, has been promoted major. Sheep in the Colony. On 31st May last the approximate number of sheep in New Zea and was 15,200,000, being an increase of 654,000 on the previous year. In Otago the number of sheep has increased during the year from 3,800,000 to 3,957.000.

Bail-way RetpENS.—The railway returns for the four weeks ending August 2lst are as follow : —Receipts ; North Island, £22,107 10s 9d ; South Island, £40,531 10s; total, £62,63905.9d. Expenditure: North Island, £17,941 13s 2d ; South Island £32,836 Is 5d ; total, £50,777 14s 7d.

Death of an M.L.O.— The Hon. A. De B. Brandon, M.L.0., died on Wednesday afternoon at Wellington, aged 76. The deceased gentleman had been suffering for some time past from enlargement of the liver. Mr Brandon arrived in Wellington 1840, coming out in connection with the New Zealand Colonising Company. He occupied the position of provincial solicitor during Dr Featherstone’s superintendency in 1856, and was elected to represent the Wellington county district, and held this seat till 1881, and in 1883 was called to the Legislative Assembly. The deceased was president of the Wellington Club and the Wellington Law Society. Fishing Regulations. An Order-in-Council declares that in all parts of the colony salmon, young salmon, salmon fry, trout, young trout and trout fry, together with all other salmonidse and also all white fish, tench and perch which have been introduced into ihe colony shall be and are hereby protected, /Subject, however, to the operation of such opi-n seasons for fishing for and taking such fish as the Governor may from time to time declare by regulations to bo made under the Salmon and Trout Act, 1867. The regulations for trout fishing under tha Salmon and Trout Act in North Canterbury, Nelson, South Canterbury, Geraldine, Waitaki. Otago Ahd Southland districts were published on Thursday night.—The regulations for the Geraldine district will be found in another column,

Timaru Horse Parade. —T.veaty-one horses have been entered for the parade which takes place in Timaru today. The entries comprise nine draughts, eight thoroughbreds, three coaching stallions, and one pony.

The Weather.— Rain fell in torrents all day yesterday, and had no appearance of clearing up at tho time of going to press. It did not, however, look na if it had settled down to wet weather, and wo have every hope of an immediate change for the better. It Wouldn’t Fatten.— Mr Edward O’Neil, of Geraldine, killed a small pig one day last week, owing to its nonfattening qualities in spite of its voracious appetite. An examination of its intestines showed them to contain no less than 23 huge worms, some measuring as much as 22i0. The pig was about four months old.

On Hit.—A rumor has been current in Temuka during the last few days, and we believe it to be true, that Mrs Mackintosh, wife of tho Rev. E. Mackintosh, lately pastor of the Proabylerian Church at Ternuka, has been left a legacy of £30,000 by a relative lately deceased. If the rumor is true Mrs Mackintosh has certainly been most fortunate.

. The Wreoi or the Lyttelton.— With the aid of a diver, the engines placed on board the ill-fated ship Lyttelton vhen attempts were being made to float her —and which were lashed to her mosts whan she went to pieces—have been recovered, but they are completely wrecked. The diver reports that pr.rts of the vessel and her cargo are strewn over an area nearly half a mile square.

Thk Hall Case.—Stories of Thomas Hall’s defalcations still continue to float in the air. The latest we have heard is that a certain lady, the wife of a South Canterbury politician, gave him £6OOO to invest some time ago, and that there is no account of it : also that £3OQO of the hard-earned money of a certain public servant has vanished while in his keeping the same way. We give the rumor* for what they are worth.

Curious Cihoumstanob.— The following curious circumstance has been narrated to the Press by Mr Gardiner, of the Blm Tree Farm, East Oxford. On Tuesday morning, September 14, one ewe had three lambs, one black and two white, all alive. On the same evening another ewe had one lamb, which lived twenty-four hours, Mr Gardiner took one of the three lambs and put it with the ewe that had lost its lamb, and it lived with it until Tuesday, September 21st; then the last-named ewe had two more lambs, both of which are doing well.

The Midland Railway.—A number of the guarantors of the Eost and West Coast Railway met at Christchurch on Thursday for the purpose of welcoming Mr A. Soolt, and to arrange othet business connected with the guarantee. It was unanimously resolved that the repayment of expenses payable by the company to the guarantors be accepted by the Committee in paid-up shares of the company. It was alsi resolved that a large and influential Committee be appointed to make arrangements for a banquet to Mr Scott. The meeting was of a very unanimous and enthusiastic character.

Syobting,— At the Australian Jockey Club’s Spring Meeting on Tuesday, Industry, the New Zealand bred filly, by Musket out of Pearlash, owned by W. Kelso, defeated Neophyte and others in the Spring Maiden Stakes. The starters in the Metropolitan Stakes were —Bohemian, The Jewel, Lord William, Cerise and Blue, Monte Christo, Lancer, Peter, Folly, Zeno, Myles na Coppaleen, Highland Mary, 8.V., The Orphan, Gentility, Bravo, Rifleman, Lord of the Lake, Rifleshot, and Sorella. The start was a bad one, but tho race proved a grand one, and resulted in a win for Bohemian by a neck, The Jewel being second,.and Lord William third j time, 3min 31J*eo. On Thursday the Suburban Handicap was won by Falcon, with Upper Cut second. Four horses fell during this race, and two of the jockeys, Kelso and Davis, were slightly injured. The Craven Plate was won by Trident, and the Second Foal Stakes by Volcano. Proposed Exhumation. —An apjrfication was made to Government and granted for authority to exhume the remains of Captain Cain, tbe father of Mrs Thomas Hall. It is alleged that some time before his death he was subject to unaccountable fits of sickness, and used to show other special symptoms, and that he once remarked, “If it were not absurd I should think someone was trying to poison me.” The application for exhumation is besed, the Wellington correspondent of the Press understands, on tho declaration of the medical attendant that he has reason to suspect that the death of tho deceased gentleman was caused by poison. Another exchange says, there has also been same talk of an investigation into the circumstances of Mr Tate’s death some years ago, which was then thought to have been suicide, but is now thought to be open to another explanation. It is not generally believed that any steps will be taken in this case, as owing to the length of time which has elapsed since the death of Mr Tate (who was formerly a well-known Wellington citizen), it would be a 1 most impossible to prove anything deinitely. “ D'ye ken John Pbel.” —There died on the 17th inst (says the Hobart Mercury of August 21st, 1886), at his place of residence, in Liverpool-street, John Woodcock Graves, an old colonist, who was verging on hi* hundredth year. He came to Tasmania in June, 1833, as providore of the emigrant snip Strathfleldsay, and efter a short sojourn in Sydney returned to Tasmania, where he settled down for the remainder of his days. Only three of his follow passengers now remain alive, Mrs Ellis, Mrs Waikins, and Mr Wiggens. Two of his sons have made their mark in theco'ony—John Woodcock Graves, the eminent barrister, now deceased, who during his lifetime took a great interest in all connected with Tasmania, and Joseph Graves, who owns large timber mills at Southport, and was the mainstay of his father in his old age. One of his daughters is Mrs Hubbard, who resides in Melbourne, and takes a great interest in charitable institutions. The name of John Woodcock Graves will go down to posterity ns the author of the well-known hunting song “John Peel,” He was a native of Cumberland, England, and the song with its rattling chorus was descriptive of the fox hunting for which the border counties on each side of the Tweed are famous. There a hunt dinner—of which there are many in the season —is regarded as incomplete without the well known retrain of “ D’ye ken John John Peel,” as the flowing bowl pastes round and the welkin rings again and again with the hearty chorus. Some years ago the huntsmen of bis native county testified their appreciation of this favorite song by sanding him a present. The song was a favorite ot the deceased, and those who have heard him sing it acknowledge that he did so with all the warmth of a Cumbrian. Mr Graves died of those ailment* which surround old age, and was attended in his last hours by the Rev. Mr Finals.

Temuka Ckicket Grounds.— The Temuka Cricket Club, in our advertising columns, call for tenders for ploughing, harrowing, and sowing £ acre, for digging and sowing the same area, or for re-tufirng the present pitch. Specifications are to be seen at the office of Mr E. Brown, and tenders close on Wednesday next.

Fire. —Some one set on fire the fence of a paddock belonging to Mr W. Weir on last Thursday evening, and several chains of it were destroyed, but with the help of Constable Guerin, Mr M. O'Brien, and others, it was put out before it spread. As the fence is very near some houses, it was a rather dangerous thing to do. Had the wind been high much damage might have bepu the result. The Hall-Housxon Case.— lt is understood that application will be made to Mr Justice Johnston at the opening of the criminal sittings at Christchurch for a few days’ adjournment of the silting of the Grand Jury after they have dealt with the other cases on the calendar, so that they may take evidence in the Timaru poisoning case, and that if a true bill is found tho trial will not take-place till October 13. Prompt Payment.— Yesterday, by the mid-day marl from Christchurch, Mr H. N. Hiakens, the Geraldine agent for the South British Insurance Company, received a cheque on behalf of Mrs Johnstone for £IOO, the full amou it for which her house and furniture were insured. It will be remembered that Mrs Johnstone’s property was destroyed by fire at eleven o’clock on Monday night, and thus only 85£ hours had elapsed when the. money was paid.

Lawn Tennis. -We understand that the Temuka Lawn Tennis Club will at once procaed with the construction of the new asphalt court, ard we must congratulate the Club on their enterprise, as it will tend to popularise the game in Temuka, add members to the roll of the Club, and tend very much to improve their play. When the court is constructed this enjoyable game will be able to bo indulged in both in the summer and winter seasons.

Bom. -A horse attached to a dog-cart belonging to Mr J. A. Young, of Winchester, started at full gallop up the Milford road from the direction of the Park gate yesterday. It came across the railway and turned the comers of the Crown and Wallingford Hotels without a mishap, but when it reached the corner of Mr E. Brown’s timber yard the wheel of the trap came in contact with the post. The trap was capsized, but nothing happened to the horse. Immediately Mr N. C. Nicholas and Mr M. O’Brien came on the scene, and after having righted the vehicle, and ascertained that its in-juries consisted in one of the springs being cracked, they drove down the street to look for the person who had charge of the horse. They bad had not gone far when they met Mr Young’s groom, who admitted having had charge of the horse, and who with some violence insisted on regaining possession of it. Mr Nicholas, however, came to the conclusion that the man was not in a fit state to give up the horse to, and an altercation took place, resulting in Constable Guerin .taking the man in charge. The Constable and the man, whose name we failed to ascertain, had a bit of a “picnic” on the road near the Police Station all to themselves, till the monotony of the proceedings were relieved by the arrival of Constable Morton, through whose mediation an adjournment was made to the lock-up. Meanwhile Mr Nicholas took the horse and trap to his own stable, and after having attended to what was immediately wanted, took them home to their owner. / The Boman Catholic Church.-—The jubilee mission which commenced last Sunday in the above church in Temuka has continued all the week. The attendance has been very larae every day during the week—even yesterday, wot as the day was, people came from long distances to attend the church. The work done by the rev. missionary, Father T. Le Mennant Des Cheuais, during the week is extraordinary. Between 7 and 7.30 every morning he has come to the church, and has heard confessions up to 8 o’clock, when he celebrated mass. After about half-an-hour for breakfast, he again takes his place in the confessional till 10.30 a.m., when he appeared in the pulpit and preached for about an hour and a quarter. At 1.30 p.m. and at 3.30 p.m. he has again preached for about an hour and a half each time, and back again he has gone to the confessional. And this appears to be his work from year’s end to year’s end. He has only just returned from America, where bo held similar missions, and is going on southward to Timaru, where he will continue the same work next week. The rev. gentleman is of a French noble family, and is one of the most learned men in New Zealand at present. There is no science with which he has not a thorough acquaintance, no branch of learning which he has not studied, and there are few of the civilised countries in which he has not travelled. Altogether he is a very distinguished ecclesiastic. In one of his sermons he paid a tribute to the Rev. Father Fauvel and his church. He said that in all his travels he had not seen a neater church, nor one belter calculated to inspire devotional emotions. The rev. gentleman has been assisted during the week by the Rev. Fathers Fauvel, Goutenoire, and Foley, but none of them preached, their ministrations being limited to hearing confessions and saying mass. The mission will ootne to a close at last mass to-morrow, and that evening the rev, gentleman will open his mission in Timaru.

Ths Greatest Blessing. A simple, pure, harmless remedy, that cures every time, and prevents disease by keeping the blood pure, stomseh regular, kidneys and liver active, is the greatest blessing ever conferred upon man, Hop Bittere is that remedy, and the American 00., the genuine manufacturer*, are being blessed by thousands who have been cured by it. Trj it. See Advt.

WIOKBD EOR OlmgykkN.-" I believe it to bs all wrong and even wicked for clergymen or other public men to be led into giving testimonials to quack doctors or vile stuffs called medicines, but when a really meritorious article is made, up of common valuable remedies known to all, and that all physicians use and trust in daily, we ehould freely commend it. I therefore cheerfully and heartily commend Hop Bitten far the good they have done me and my friends, firmly believing they have no equal for family use. I will not be without them.”— r, t . Washington, 0.0., U.S.A.' 1

SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS. R. Matthews, Temuka —Trespass notice. Fishing Regulations—For Geraldine district. Temuka Road Board—Notice re accepted tenders. Bank Holiday—At Temuka and Geraldine on October Ist, Temuka Cricket Club—lnvite tenders foe preparing ground. John Murray, Manager Riverslea EstateInvite tenders for cropping with potatoes 80 acres on the Riverslea Estate. P. O’Meeghan—Has taken the Old Bank Hotel, Timaru, from Mr Spillane ; first-rate brands of wines, beer, and spirits in ilbok; best accommodation for visitors. J. and T. Thomson, Timaru— Hate jbst received their principal shipments for coining season ex direct steamers, which for variety, style, and good value leave nothing to be sired ; draw special attention to their stock * of dress stuffs, millinery, etc. Edward Pilbrow, Agent for the Green Fayes’ Estate, and for Nimmo and Blair, Seed Merchants, Dunedin —Announces that he has always on hand a detection of all kmdc of seeds, including grasses and clovers, mangolds, carrots, turnips, garden, flower, etc. | has corn and seed drills for sals or hire. J. W. Miles, “ The Hall,” Temuka— Announces that he is now shoving novelties in all classes of spring drapery, imported direct from the Home markets, and of exceptionally good value. He recommends intending purohsssrs to call and see t he above before purchasing elsewhere. ;