LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1518, 27 November 1886, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Protection.—lt is said that a journal advocating Protectionist views is to be etarted in Dunedin.

Major Atkinson.—Maior Atkinson’s sprained ankle is worse, erysipelas having made its appearance. Mrs Atkinson does net improve in health.

The Timaru Mayoralty.— On Wednesday last Mi Mobs Jonas was elected Major of Timaru for the enening term. He wae opposed by the outgoing Mayor, Mr John Jackson. Cheap Fares to Dunedin.— Excursion tickets to Dunedin, available for return till the 13th December, can now be obtained at the Temuka Bailway station. These tickets will be issued till Monday next. S.O. Charitable Aid Board. The Timaru Borough Council on Wednesday evening elected Mr John Jackson to represent the Borough on the South Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board.

Important Sale.— Attention is directed to an important sale by Messrs H. Matson and Co. of valuable freehold property and live and dead farm stock, etc., at Kangitata Island on Monday next. Full particulars will be found in our advertising oolumne. The Auckland Monster.— There was excitement at Pareora River, Auckland, this week, on account of it having been reported that the “ saurian ” monster had been seen in the river. The animal has been captured, and proves to be an enormous grey seal, 7ft 6in long, and weighing 3owt. Another is reported to be still at large. Bad Boys.— At the R.M. Court, Ashburton, yesterday, four boys, whose ages apparently ranged from seven to nine years, were brought up charged with interfering with the railway trucks at the railway station. The Resident Magistrate sentenced them all to a severe whipping, and fined the two eldest 5s each. The Opposition.— The Wellington correspondent of the Press telegraphs It is understood that negotiations are in progress among the leading members of the Opposition for a reconstruction of tbe parly and its programme on a different basis from that of tbe last two sessions, and that there is likely to be a distinct accession of political activity shortly after the New Year.” Advance in Wheat.— The Press says the Following private telegram was received in Christchurch from London on Thursday morning:—“A decided advance has taken place during the last few days in the price of wheat. Californian cargoes are now quoted at 365. The market is strong with an. upward tendency. The rise is caused principally by the knowledge of small stocks being held.”

Grant pob School Buildings,—A circular read at a meeting of the Wellington Board of Education states that a sum of about £46,000 voted for public school buildings will be distributed at the beginning of next year in proportion to population at tbe rate of Is and six-tenths of a shilling for each person. The amount apportioned to South Canterbury is £1843 10s 7d, and to North Canterbury £8032 Us 7d. There is authority for applying a further sum of £4OOO to the same purpose, but this cannot be distributed till April. It will be divided in such a way as to give some advantage to the smaller districts.

Niagara Palls in Winter.—We have just received from Messrs H. H. Warner and Co., proprietors of Warner’s Safe Remedies, Melbourne, a fat-smile of H. H. Warner’s great £6OOO painting, “Niagara Falls in Winter,” by Cameron, the famous English artist. The original covers 90 square feat of canvass, being the largest landscape ever painted in America, and the only painting in existence of Niagara in Winter. The facsimile, 12 x 30 inches in size, is in 30 colors, and a faithful representation of the great original, It can be seen tor a limited time at this office. We nre informed that the Messrs H. H. Warner and Co. will post to any address copies of the same on receipt of five shillings.

Monthly Sale at Geraldine. —The monthly sale of stock, etc., at Geraldine takes places on Wednesday. < Messrs J. Mundell and Co. publish entries.

The Maclntyre Testimonial. The Australian Mutual Provident Life Assurance Society, in whoso office the life of Mrs T. Hall was insured for £6OOO, has given £IOO to the Maclntyre Testimonial Fuad. Lawn Tennis. —On Tuesday next a lawn tennis match will be played at Oamam between representatives of the Temuka and Oamaru Clubs, Messrs Pinckney and Tosswill playing for the former. One double and two single sets will be played. Old Soldiers’ Land Claims.— Majors Gudgeon and Crowe, the Old Soldiers’ Land Claims Commissioners, completed their work in Christchurch on Thursday evening. About ninety claims were investigated. The Commissioners arrived in Timaru yesterday. Loss op Cattle.— During the passage of the Botorua between Wellington and Lyttelton six bullocks, out of forty shipped at the former place, died. It is said that the bullocks had been trucked for a long time prior to shipment, and were almost dead when the steamer left.

Meeting op Creditors.—A meeting of the creditors of Mr W. H, Lodge, butcher, Geraldine, was held cn Thursday morning at 11 o’clock, in the courthouse, Geraldine. A good number of the bankrupt’s creditors were present. At the request of the Official Assignee, who was unable to attend, Mr B. H. Pearpoint, J.P., conducted tha examination. Mr J, W. White appeared for the bankrupt. The unsecured liabilities amounted to £48716s lOd, with several more claims to come in, making altogether about £6OO. The secured creditors are the Bank of New Zealand, Geraldine, secured by Mrs Bosina Lodge, Christchurch; The assets, including the book debts, calculated to produce , about £2OO, are estimated at £272 10s. In answer to questions, the bankrupt stated that he bad been in business about eighteen months; had started without any capital, and had kept no books beyond a day-book and a ledger. He attributed his present position to opposition in trade and the scarcity of money. It was decided to submit the assets to auction at an early date. Mr Pearpoint was appointed supervisor of the estate, and the meeting terminated.' Excursion.— Yesterday an excursion train ran from Timaru to Christchurch and Lytelton, stopping to take np passengers at Temuka, Winchester, and Orari. It was well patronised, and doubtless many more would have indulged in a day’s outing had it not been for the very threatening appearance of the weather. The day, however, proved delightfully fine. Altogether 501 passengers patronised the train, of these 323 were from Timaru, 103 from Temuka, 25 from Winchester, and 50 from Orari, and the platform at these stations at the time of the departure of the train were crowded, the friends who had come to see the excursionists off being fully equal to them in number. At Christchurch the first day’s match between the Australian and Canterbury Cricketers was in progress, and a few of the excursionists visited the ground. Some went as far as Lyttelton, but the majority amused themselves with the “ sights ” of Christchurch—the Museum, Cathedral' etc. The way the excursion was managed reflects evgry credit on the railway officials, from the highest to the lowest. The trains were got away to time, without any accident or mishap, and everything possible was done for the convenience of the excursionists.

Auckland Lunatic Asylum. Dr MacGregor, Inspector-General of Hospitals and Asylums, went io Whau on Thursday to make further investigation into the differences between Dr Cremoni and the staff. Be states that he is determined to enforce discipline whatever may be the consequences. He disapproves entirely of any warders holding keys giving access to the female side of the Asylum, also to officers of (he institution disposing of produce of the institution to other officers as being liable to grave abuse. As to saluting the Medical Superintendent nothing more is required than is done in every Asylum in the colony. As a result of bis investigations be discharged the storekeeper on the spot. The doctor telegraphed to Superintendent Thompson io send a constable to take account and delivery of the store and liquors furnished to the asylum, which was done. Six warders declining to withdraw their resignations were discharged. As there are many applications for the vacant positions there will be no difficulty in getting over the embroglio.

Resident Magistbtb’s Coitbt, Temdka. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Temuka, yesterday, before K. F. Gray, Esq., J.P„ James Spratley (better known as “Jimmy the Fenian”) was charged with drunk and violently [resisting a constable in the execution of his duty at Tomuka on the 25th November. Constable Morton said that at a quarter to 5 o’clock the previous evening he saw the accused lying at the south side of the Star Hotel with his swag beside him. He was very drunk. He got him up, but hardly had he done so than accused, after looking at him, said “ he never walked with a policeman,” and threw himself down. He got the prisoner up again, and taking hold of him with one hand and the swag with the other he got him to Ackroyd’s corner without trouble. Prisoner then refused to go any further, and again laid down. He (the constable) remonstrated with the prisoner, and tried to persuade him to get up and go along quietly, and" while doing so the accused kicked him on the left side of the bead, which made him reel, and be still felt the effects of the blow. Ha got him up, and as far as the Road Board office, where be was again obstinate, and on reaching the railway line he absolutely refused to go any further. Another severe struggle took place, and be had the greatest difficulty in getting him to the lock-up. He could assure His Worship that he had never met a more dangerous or ferocious man. In reply to His Worship, the constable said he did not handcuff the man. On His Worship asking accused if he had anything to say in answer to the charge, he said he supposed it was of no use. The constable must have illtreated him or he would not have resisted. He felt very sore, and thought he must have been kicked before he woke up. He was sorry that he bad resisted the police; it was not usual for him to do so. In reply to His Worship, Constable Morton said the prisoner had not been before the Court for four years, since 1882, and he had not seem him in the district. The prisoner hoped His Worship would be lenient with him, and he would take care that he did not offend again. After looking up the records af the Court, His Worship said the prisoner had got a very bad character from the arresting constable, and be had a bad record. He thought the justice of the case would be met with a sentence of 14 days. He could have given him three months, but a> he (prisoner) bad expressed sorrow for bis doings ha would taka a lenient view of the case, and sentence him to 14 days’ imprisonment with hard labor. Prisoner was taken to Timaru by the express. |

Earthquake.—A very heavy shook of earthquake wajs felt at Wellington at 13.49 a.m. on Friday. The duration was fully 30sec, and the direction east and west.

Christchurch Chamber op Commerce, —At the quarterly meeting of the Christchurch Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, the President, Mr J. Gould, in his address, referred to the fact that although there was a markets,at Fiji for our produce, very little is sent there. The Fiji butter, cheese, hams, and bacon, all eome fiom Europe, and potatoes, beer, aud horse feed from Sydney. Yet they sould all be supplied cheaper from New Zealand. The Committee had not seen their way to contribute the sum asked for the proposed wool and grain show. It was resolved that it is desirable that exchange meetings be held daily. Property Tax Pros xoutions. —Several persons were charged at the Dunedin Police Court on Thursday, with failing to send in returns under the Property Assessment Act. James Broad foot and George Atkinson were.fined in the lowest penalty. £5, and opals, and treble the amount of the tax. John Boon offered as a defence that the property he had possessed had passed into the hands of the mortgagee three years ago, and be had not a pound in the world now. The same fine was inflicted. Charges against Robert Adams and Joseph Braithwaite were dismissed. The next case was against and Co., and the manager stated that no forms bad been sent to the Company. Some envelopes addresssed to the former manager of the Company had reached the Company, but as he had left their employ the envelopes were not opened. A fine of £lO and costs was inflicted, as the excuse of ignorance of the law could not be held as a justification. It is stated that the fine of treble duty would amount to £750, but the Commissioner is expected to grant remission.

Serious Accident.— A very serious accident happened yesterday about a' quarter past one o’clock to Mrs Westropp, wife of Mr G. Westropp, Master of the North Orari School. Mrs Westropp bad driven into Geraldine with one of her sons, and while there called at the postoffice for her letters. At the same time that the son jumped out of the trap to get the letters, the horse by some means got his bridle off, and, becoming frightened, started off, Mrs Westropp being in the trap. After going a few yards it crossed the road, and the wheel coming iu contact with the kerbing the unfortunate lady was thrown out with great force, falling violently on her bead, receiving some very severe cuts, and being rendered unconscious. The acd'den t had been noticed by Messrs Finch and Young, and others, who immediately picked up the injured lady and carried her to the residence of Constable Willoughby. Dr Fish being away at Peel Forest, Mr R. S. Cook dressed the external wounds, and sent an urgent telegram to Dr Hayes, of Terauka. Mr Farrell, of the Crown Hotel, also sent a man with a trap for Dr Fish, who reached ’ Geraldine about half-past two. Dr Hayes arrived a short time later. Upon examination it was found that the injuries sustained were of a very serious and d mgerous nature, but a good hope ia entertained of her ultimate recovery. It was found that beside the severe wounds on the back and side of the head, Mrs Westropp had also received a severe wound inside the mouth, and was very much cut and bruised about the body, besides being greatly shaken. It is feared that Mrs Vrestropp is injured internally, as she has vomited large quantities of blood, and complained of acute pains inwardly. The horse only went a short distance after the unfortunate lady was thrown out, when ho was brought up by the reins becoming entangled in the wheels, The + rap was not so much damaged as might have been expected. Beyond the breaking of one wheel and the straining of the shafts, it remained intact. The news of the accident was conveyed to Mr Westropp, who speedily arrived in Geraldine, and much sympathy is felt for him and his wife in their trouble. Dr Hayes remained some time with Mra Westropp of watch how the sufferer, who is in a very critical position, progressed. Wise Folly.— ” For ten year* my wife vu confined to her bed with such a complication of ailments that no doctor could tell what was the matter or cure her, and I used up a small fortune in humbug stuff. Six months ago I saw an American flag with American Oo.’s Hop Bitters on it, and I thought I would be a fool onoa more, I tried it, but my folly proved to be wisdom. Two bottles cured her, and she is now as well and strong as any man’s wife, and it costume only two dollars.” —H.W., Detroit, Uioh. —Bead Advt.