LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1531, 30 December 1886, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ball.—A grand ball takes place in the Oddfellows' Ha)l, Geraldine, to-morrow evening (New Year's Eve). •

San Fbanoisco Mail.—Our readers are reminded that the outgoing English mail via San Francisco closes to-morrow. ' Tbmoka Monthly Sale.—This sale takes place to-morrow. Messrs J. Mnndell and Co. and Mr K. F. Gray advertise entries.

Sotcidb.—Thomas Guy, aged 63, committed suicide yesterday morning at Springfield, North Canterbury, by hanging himself to a wire fence by a piece of wire.

AxxßMPTiiro xo Shoot.—A man named Grade was arretted at Bakaia on Tuesday charged with attempting to shoot James Brown. He was taken before a Justice of the Peace and remanded till Friday.

The Weathek.—Yesterday was a very hot day, thermometers in pxposed positions registering considerably over, the century. At five o'clock last evening the register was 112 in the sun and 74 in the shade.

Ikqubst.—The inquest on the body of tbe late Mr B. J. Hale at Cbristohuroh on Monday afternoon wai adjourned to allow a solicitor to appear on. behalf of deceased's family- It ie stated that proceedings will probably be taken against the Tramway Com' pany by the relatives. Caledonian Spobts.—On Monday next an excuroieo train will take the place of the ordinary morning train from Orari to Tiraaru, taking passengers at considerably reduced rates. Full particulars aa to time of departure and fares will be found in our advertising columns. i

Kiixbd ok tbs BaiXiWat. —A boy named Boss, aged nine years, was killed on the raili way near Dipton, Southland, on Saturday ) evening. When observed by the driver be was lying close to the rails, and remained motionless till the cowoatcher struck him, and smashed the baok of his head. Dibhohbbt Skcehtabt.—At a meeting of the Auckland Grammar School Board of Governors yesterday the auditor reported that he bad discovered a deficiency of £B9 in the acoounts of tbe late Secretary, Yon der | Hyde, who left for Germany a few weeks ago. Mr Dodd was elected Secretary, a guarantee of £2OO being required. Omission. —In our hurry in compiling our I report of the baiaar in our last issue several | things were omitted. Amongst these was ; handsome book of ferns given by Mr fl. A. Bout. .The book was splendidly got up and very valuable. On Mesdames Hayhurst and Wills' stalls there was also a beautiful bride i doll, which had been magnificently dressed by Mias Bowles. Tbain Abranqbmknts.—On Saturday moriiing next the early train to Christchurch and Lyttelton will start considerably'earlier than usual and travellers by it will reach Christchurch or Lyttelton in time for the races Bnd regatta. On and after Saturday next the evening train from Timavu to Orari will leave at a later hour than it does now. The New Year Hoiidays. —lt has been decided by a number of the principal business people of Temuka to keep their respective establishments open on Saturday next and to close them on the following Monday and Tuesday. This plan will also be followed in Timaru, in consequence of the South Canterbury Caledonian Sports taking place on the latter days. Gkand Good Templabb' Picnic—The Good Templars' of Geiaidine propose holding-a grand mooster picnic at the Waihi Gorge on Saturday next (New Year's Day). The arrangements have been left in the hands of and able an eaergetic Committee, who are taking active and efficient steps to make the affair a thorough success. At the close of the Lodge meeting on Monday even* ing last, the Committee held a meeting for the purpose of making final arrange* menu for the picnic. The Chairman (Mr J. W. Pye) announced that several sisters who had canvassed the town had succeeded beyond their expectations in obtaining a Urge numbes of prizes for the] children's sports. A Sports' Committee, Refresh me at Committee, and gatekeepers were appointed. It was decided that' the start for the rendesvouz should be made from the Good Templars' Hall' at 0.30 a.m. The public are cordially invited to join in the picnic, and are reminded that as it is being held uoder the auepicea of the Good Templar Order no intoxicating beverages will be allowed to be taken up or used on the occasion.

The Volunteer Bauar.—The bazaar and fancy fair held to raise funds for the Volunteer drillehed was opened on Tuesday at noon. The attendance during the afternoon was Dot large, but in the evening the ball was crowded again, and a large amount of business was done. The Band daring the evening played several selections of music in a capital style, and at 11 o'clock wound up with the National Anthem. There is nothing very definite yet known as to tfte amount realised, as some returns have not yet come in, but it is expected that *hen wound up it will tot up pretty close to £2OO, In the two stalls presided over by Mesduiues Ooira, Ueri, Twomey, and Mogridge close on £6O was taken during the two dayn, and there still remains unsold between £2O and £9O worth of goods, A good deal of goods remained unsold on all the stalls,, but the most valuable articles have been disposed of. It is intended to take some other means of disposing of them, but nothing definite has yet been decided upon. After the bazaar closed on Tuesday evening an impromptu dance was got up, and the proceeds went ;n aid of the funds.

A Mibagb.—A curious .sight was visible at Dunedin on Sunday morning ia the form of a mirage, and, as teen from the heights of Dunedin, the whole penimula, with every detail minutely pictured on the cloudi retting on the ocean, appeared transferred out to sea, leaving only a narrow channel representing the Pacific Ocean. It was visible for thirty minutes,

OroMKO.—-At the Interprovinoisl Bicycle hates, at Ohristohuroh on Monday last, the Three Mile; Bioyole Championship of New Zealand was won by 0. W. De»n (Christchurch) on a. 65in. Invincible, B. U. Barlow (North Canterbury) being second on a 67in. Budge ; time, 9aau>. 37 4-sths sees. The five mile raee was-won by D. J. Caldwell (P.8.C.), and the ten mile race by Godfrey (C.8.C.).

Hohb Bun.—Large meetings have.been held.at Sjdney to express sympathy with Mr Gladstone and Mr Parnell in their endeavors to obtain Home Bule for Ireland/and a fund has been opened in aid of the evicted tenants. Cardinal Moran sent a hundred guineas, and a total of £SBO was raised. Efforts were to he made to colleob £IOOO by Christmas, and telegraph Home. Thb Motjht Bbhvib Outbaqi.—Sweetman, the cabman sentenced to fourteen years' imprisonment and two floggings for the Mount Bennie outrage, is in delicate health, and the two floggings have been remitted on the recommendation of the medical officer. Great efforts are being made to gat the sentence of death passed on the perpetrators of the outrage commuted. Inqubstb Dubiho 1885. A table of the inquests held during 1885 shows that there were 330 accidental deaths during the rear. Bix persons were victims of hoonieide | tbere were 51 suicides, in. the cases of three of which verdicts of folo de se were found; 21 wsre found dead ; and in seven cases the jury ascribed death to the visitation of God. In only five cases was death attributable directly to intemperaace. Fbbhoh Ybtbbavs.—There are at present seven hundred and forty old soldiers in France who served under the first Napoleon, and eash of whom receives a life annufcy of two hundred and forty francs. It is s*id that this venerable battalion loses annually on an average one hundred - and eighty-five of its member*, and it may thus be expected that within the next four years the last veteran will take his departure from this life.

Fashion in London. latest freak of fashion in London is for ladies to have a different dog for different costumes The inconsolable widow in sable weeds is accompanied by a Landseer Newfoundland, while the maid who weara a golden brown silk carries a fluffy Skye of the same ebade. As grey is now the ultrafhshionable color, the blue. Skye, which is an exquisite shade of grey, is the reigning favorite.

Pbimitivi Methodist Oht/boh, Gbbaidxkb. —The annual picnic in connection with this oburoh was held in the Geraldine Park on Monday last. The event was an entire sucoess. About 300 children of all denominations were present, besides a large number of parents and friends. Notwithstanding such an unexpected inorease in number, the provisions for the occasion proved abundant. Tbe children indulged in all torts Mi games, and everybody thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The Geraldine Brass Band, who kindlr gave their services free of cost,, were in attendance, and enlivened the proceedings .with their excellent music

GoriBNOTKT Irotbance.- The following are copies of cables between the AgentGeneral and Sir Julius Vogel:—" AgentGenera) to the Treasurer: The actuaries' interim report shows that the results are better than tbey expeoted. Firstly, general emotion: Liability, £840,130; surplus, £245,315; whereof they recommend in dividends £150,000. Secondly, tempetance section: Liability, £19,348; deficiency, £2759 ; but this need not cause uneasiness. Industrial branch nothing divisible." " Colonial Treasurer to Agent-General: Hope lam not to understand that the temperance policyholders are excluded from, bonus." " AgentGeneral to Colonial Treasurer: Actuaries report that the temperanoe section cannot receive bonus, there being nothing divisible." It may be mentioned that the temperanoe section was only established in July, 1882. . Pbwh Fight kbab London.— Early on November 16th a prise fight; said to be for £SO a side, took place at Eingskury Old Baceoourse, near Hendon. The principals, named Cheese and Kendrick, with their' supporters and friends, reached Kingsbury between seven and eight o'clock in a fourhorse drag, several cabs, and a brougham. A ring was formed, and the fight was brought to an issue before the police appear to have received any intimation of the matter. After twenty-four rounds, which occupied one hour and twenty-five minutes, Kendriok was dechred the winner. Cheese was severely punished about the bead and body, Kendriok having only a few marks on. the face. The police afterwards arrived, and .overtook some of those who had been present. They arretted Cheese, who was hidden in the brougham, and three others. The prisoners were taken before a magistrate next day and discharged.

Thb Socialist Lbadib.—Tho domeatio affairs of the Socialist lander Hyndman (saya the London correspondent of the Argus) are some key to the conduct of the federation of which he> the leadiDg light. HU father was a wealthy man, and some time ego the aon had a houae m a street near Portland Place. At that time he wis connected with the Stock Eiohange, and was reputed wealthy. This week his wife has appeared in the Brompton County Court to answer a summons for debt. She stated that her husband bad no income, and that he Was am applicant for a situation as managing clerk to a solicitor at £l5O per year. Re had latterly spent, muoh of his time lecturing for the Socialists, but he was not paid for this, and they were absolutely unable to meet the csks now made upon thsm. This story came upon the publio with surprise, and it is held to show, that Hyndman is rerenging himself upon society for his own losses.

Thiozlt Populatid.—lt has been for a long tj me asserted and believed that tke island of Barbados!, with 166 square miles and % population of 175,000, which is 1 1054 persons to the square mile, was the most densely inhabited portion of the earth's surface. From a communication of Mr John Worthington, the Consul of the United States at Yaletra, Malts, it appears that in the matter of density of population Barbadoes must yield the palm to Malta. The island contains 95 equare milsi of surface, and oontains 142,500 inhabitants (exclusive of the British garrijoa and visitors and nonresidents), whiph is an arerege of 1500 to the square mile. The city of Yalatta contains a great plethora if population, its area'being 0.318 square miles, and its population 24,854, a population of 78,157 persons to the square mile. There is one specially populous quarter of Valetta, known as the Manderagio, the area of which is 0.004 square mile, or 2.56 acres, wherein dwell 2544 proportion of 636,000 souls to the square mile. If we exclude the onetthird of the island which is unsuitable for cultivation, and the area occupied by buildings, the population of Malta reaches the large number of 2000 per square mile.

The HiAiacoia Seat.—According to the Zealand Herald, there it an impression that Sir Job* Hall would consent to contest the Heathcote seat if, a requisition were preiented to him*

Wbamcht Nbw Zbalakd.—The London Daily News rtoently published an article giviag the results of an interview with Sir Francis Dillon Bell, who was able to convince the interriewer that the colony was so far from being in a bad way that the article appeared - under the title of "Wealthy New •Zealand." ' ' • . t! ¥

New Zealand Volunteers.—The strength of the New Zealand Volunteers on December 31,1885, was Cavalry, 594 ; mounted infantry,' 150; naval artillery, 1351 ; artillery, 872; engineers, 176; rifles; 5520; cadets, 1704; total, 10,366. The Provincial districts most strongly represented are : Otago, 1944; Canterbury, 1741; Auckland, 1441. . • ./I

Township of Oram.—According to a proclamation in the last Government Garotte to hand, the following sect'oop in the township of Orari have been withdrawn from cash Bale, and reserved for letting as- homestead flections under the perpetual leasing system i-rßlock IX— Sections 1,2, 3,6, 7, and 8,! sa. each ; 4 and 5,4 a. 3r. 35p. Block XI- Sections 1,2, 3, and 6, sa, ; 4,4 a. 3r. 38p.; 5, sa. 1r..38p. Block Xll—Sections 1 and 2, sa. Or. 28p. .Block Xlll—Section 1, Ja. 2r. 25p.; 2,9 a. lr. 16pJ ; 3,12 a. 3r. 28p.; 4..13». lr. 19pi; 5,4 k lr. 22p. Block, XXIII-Section 5, 9a.!Or. 21 p. j 6,6 a. 2r, 6p.; 7,4 a. 3r, An Eablt Colobiai Papbb.—iWe (Wellington Press) have been shown k facsimile of the Auckland Times, a paper! published in 1842—just 44 years ago. It Consists of one sheet, printed on one side, and it of the •ire known as crown. In the number under notice (the first) the editor apologises for the humble appearance, though considering the circumstances under which it was printed, there was little need for apology. As. evidencing the difficulties under which printing was accomplished at that time, the following clipping from our antique contemporary is worthy of perusal:—" Humble as our means are, it is positively a fact that tbe churlish Government Printing Office have borrowed our k's to print the Maori Gaietts, and we can't get them because of Mr Ciiehen's absence," This little sheet is an interesting relic ofbycone days, and is a reliable land mark whereon to guage the progress make by tbe flourishing northern city. The newspapei bear* the imprint—" Printed (in a mangle) and published by Henry FalWaaler,, sole editor and proprietor."

A Chiit am an IK Tbotjbm.—The heathen Chinee (says the Mataura Ensign) u a secretive animal, but under the blandishments of » polite oonstable he can occasionally be made to disgorge. An almond eyed son of Mongolia had been fined two pounds at Waikais for mining without a license. He was "welly poo/' he laid, and could not pay. His precious body was seiied by Constables Fretwell and Maher, and he was marched off. When he saw that real business was meant he asked,and got permission to write a note to one of bis friends and one of the constables delivered it. The "Ohinkey" to whom it was addressed obeyed the directions | therein, and cut open an old waistcoat which | was banging up, finding therein about sixty pound notes neatly folded up. ;< The precious i rascal has been for, upwards of a year loafing about professing that he was hard up, and imposed on Mr Lamb at Waikaia among many others. v Franob and China.—News ba* been received at Cooktown, per the Doraoda, from Hong Kong, to the effect that the French have obtained an important contract from the Chinese Government., It consists of forming Fort Arthur into a great naval harbor at the cost of 1,150,000 taels. The experience gained during the late war has proved that the Gulf of Pechili was the real key to China. Therefore it if a master stroke of France to get the key in their possession by such an innocent process as that of a commercial contract. The document is said to have been drawn up with remarkable skill. All foreigners but French are to be excluded from the port. French ships are. free to come and go, And a staff of French men-of-war and officials is to be provided for. No supervision, except of the Yellow river engineers, is to be. allowed over the work. Thi Cobancfaicitb Wnsox.—The .wreck ef the steamer Oorangamite has been bought by Mr Edward Pritebard, formerly of Dunedio, for £7OO, and he has left with a gang of mea and' a staff of divers to try to get the vessel off. The result of the Marine Board enquiry into the casualty, was that the Board found that the wreck was caused by the wrongful act of the master in carelessly navigating his vessel by not reducing' speed and hauling off whsn the fog came on. Captain Leneyen was summoned to show cause why his certificate should; not be sua- j pended or oancelled. ,He made a long state-' meat. Ha stated that he had been a shipmaster for thirty-three years without having had the slightest acoideat to any vessel under his control. He dtfended the course adopted in the navigation of the vessel, which, lie

■ contended, must have been caught in an eddy ' of the current, or brought • to grief through •tearing unknown to him. The Board, in consideration of the captain's long and unsullied reputation as a skilful shipmaster, only suspended his certificate for six months. ~ Tpa Attack by a Fsbbbt on a Child. —The following additional particulars concerning the attack on a child by a ferret are given by the Herbert correspondent of the North Otago Times :—"lt appears that in' the afternoon Mrs Dobbs was busied in the faont footq of her house

with ordinary domestic duties, while bor baby; a floe healthy girl of seven months old; with beautiful largo blue eyas, lay on the floor beside Her. There were no other children in the room, and the mother having occasion to go out to the clothes line, left the baby lying on the floor. She had hardly gone 10 yards from (he door when she was alarmed at hearing, the child screaming, and on hastening back to the room a horrible sight. presented itself to her gate*. , A ferret belonging to Mr Dobbs had ssc*ped from its cage and had attacked, the child. The ferocious brute, which had a littet about three.weeks old, was tearing with teeth and claws at the righ f eyeof the unfortunate infant, whose face was' streaming with-blood. Mrs Dobbi drove the animal off and took the victim to Dr Levioge, who alleviated the little sufferer s pain, but pronounced the eye hopelessly destroyed. On inspecting the ferret's cage, w h ich is some, 10 yards from the bouse, it was found that the door of the cage had not been properly closed, or had been tampered with,by. some of the ohiN dren ; and it is,surmised that the animal bad escaped early ia the afternoon and hid been concealed in the room before Mrs Dobbs left it, &s she was not absent from her child more than three minutes. The brute has been caught, and, together with the whole>£ its litter, killed." '

THi Ktrxow BtTN.—lhe Oamaru Mail states that it is -Mr Ballance's intention to take possession of tbe Kurow ran, the area of whieh ii 30,000 acres, and to hare it eat up into smaller pastoral acres. Good Yibid.—The Southland Time* report! that on being thorn, the four pnie Lincoln sheep purchased far the Merivele estate were found to hare yielded between them llllba of wool; the chempioa rani's * fleece weighing 301 b, the othet 4-tooth's 291 b, ' ..Htbp two hogget rams each producing 2tii b wool.. ;■; : ) J). McOt/innbss begs to inform his friends j and the public that the Shilling Lunches hitherto served at the Railway Refreshment Rooms will, onJarid after Saturday, the 20th Nor., be discontinued, and in future will (with the same liberal menu) be provided in the large and elegant dmingroom of the Club Hotel. In future iunoh at Railway Refresh* ment Rooms, 2s 6d; at Club; Hotel, 1«.—• / [Adtt.] __- rM

SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS. * N. Z. Railways—-Train arrangements for January Brd. Woodhead and Son—Xnn'te tenders for harvesting linseed. lenders close on Satur> day. TemukaTown Board—layite tenders for filling in footpath and shingling same on Railway Terrace. Pub'io Notice—The stores at Temuka will be open on Saturday next and closed on the following Menday and Tuesday. J. D. Hellswel), Dentist; Timaru—Has returned to Timaru and may be consulted at hit rooms, Anderson's Buildings, opposite the \ Albion'Hotel. . A