LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1535, 4 January 1887, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

GbbAmhnk Monthly Sale.- Messrs J. Mnndell and Co. eell sheep and cattle »t this sale to-morrow.

Tbaw ABBANGEMBNTB.—Saturday return tickets to Timaru will be issued to-day, on account of the Caledonian Sports. Tbhuka Town Boabd.—The monthly meeting of the Temuka Town Board takes place to-morrow evening. Tenders for filling in footpath, shingling, etc., close ot 5 p.m. 1.0.0.F —The installation of officers of the Loyal AJexandrovna Lodge, Temuka, will take place to-morrow evening, and the public will be admitted.

Peimitivb Mbthodist Ohukch, Temuka. —The anniversary sermons in connection with this Church will be preached next Sunday by the Rev. W. J. Dean. On the following Tuesday evening a tea und public Meeting take place, admission tickets for which are now on sale.

Music—ln our advertising column^Mr B, Wood announces that he will commence to teach the violin, viola and cello, at Mr Toombs' Boarding house, Temuka, on the 15th January. Mr Wood will be in Temuka e>ery Saturday, and will give lessons between the hours of 8.30 a.m. and 7 p.m. He has a reputation as a first-class teacher, and it may be mentioned that he is leader of the Ximaru Orchestral Society. SOMTK ON A RacbcoUßS*.—A sosne occurred on the Tinwald racecourse on Saturday, resulting in the severe cattigation of a jookey named Mason. At the finish of the Maiden Race, Mbbod, who was riding Nipper, crushed Wrangler, whofwas coming up on the inside, on to the rails, and then ensued the spectacle of Smith (Wrangler's jockey) laying his whip with all his might about Mason's shouldars as the pair rode past the stand. Both riders were subsequently called before the stewards and severely censured. The affair provoked much feeling among the spectators, Smith being alternately cheered and hooted.—Press.

Stjddbn Death. -On Saturday hsfc an inquest was held at Timaru on the body of a ohild named Cook. Tha father of the child said it had been suffering from a severe attack of diarrhosa, and on Saturday morning he saw it take a drink out of a bottle containing sheep dip. Dr Maolntyre was at once consulted and gave the child a powder, but it died during the morning. Dr Lovegrove, who made a post mortem examination, slated that he had found no traoes of an irritant poison. In his opinion the child died from a severe attack of diarrhea*. A verdict of death from natural causes was re-. turned.

Bolt.—A bolt, fortunately attended with no serious results, happened at Temuka lsifc Saturday morning. A lad in the employ of Mr J. Broanahan had taken a load of milk to tbe factory, and was being assisted by Mrs Melvin to take one of the cans out of the trap when the horse started off. Mrs Melvin and the boy were thrown to the ground and considerably bruised. The boy borrowed a horse from Mr Mtlvin, who happened to be passing, and followed the runaway, overtaking and stopping it some distance down tbe Canal fload. No damage was done to the horse or trap, but the milk contained in the c.ns wbb lost.

Wrestling.—At the Caledonian Sports at Dunedin, on Saturday, the Drize for Cornish wrestling was*won by H. Dunn (tbe champion), border style. The Excursion Train.—The excursion traij toTimaru yesterday was fairly patron, ised, about 600 passengers booking from all stations. Of these about 200 were from Temuka, 300 from Aahburtoß,/and the bal»nce from Urari, Winchester, and other stations. , ; .-■>>.;, , ■■< '

The Homdats.—Temuka presented a very quiet appearance yesterday, the only stir noticeable being early in the morning and late in the evening. The post and telegraph offices were open, but the banks and most of the places of business were closed., The Caledonian Sports drew many away,'and a few went fishing and picnicking. A number of business places iu Temuka will be closed again to-day.

Result of Bky-Lakking.—On tbe return trip of the Tekupo from Oamaru t> Dunedin on Saturday, one of the passengers, whose name is unknown, went up the rigging, and was eky-larking when he fell overboard. An alarm was given, and one of the lamp trimmers jumped over after the man. A boat was immediately lowered, and tbe lamp trimmer picked up, but nothing could bo seen of the passenger. This occurred just at the Heads. Search has been made for the body, which has not been recovered so far. Victoria Lodge, No. 19, 1.0.0. F.— The usual meeting of tho above Lodge was held in the Hall, Geraldine, on Thursday evening, Deci 30th. The Lodge was opened in the usual manner by the N.G., Bro. A, Spence, who presided. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Three candidates were proposed for membership. The nomination and election of officers wbb then proceeded with. The following were elected for the ensuing term :—N.G., Bro, J. Cuuniogbam ; V.G.j .Bro. W. J. Stonebouse; Secretary, Bro. W. Coltman ; Treasurer, Bro, G. H. Patrick. The installation of officers will take place on the 14th inst. Tbe Lodge was closed in dee form by the N.G.

Good Templars' Picnic—The members of the Welcome Retreat Lodge, Geraldine, held their annual picnic on Saturday last. The rendezvous chosen was a beautiful spot in the Waihi Gorge, about eight miles from Geraldine. The day having been proclaimed a holiday most of people in the township attended, almost every available trap being called into requisition to carry the pleasure seekers. Fully 50 vehicles of various descriptions put in an appearance on the ground, and about 350 people were present. Abundance of provisions had been provided, and were distributed by the members of the Lodge. Games and sports of every description were gone into by both young and old, and all seemed to enjoy themselves most thoroughly. Tbe Geraldine Brass Band were on the ground, and added not a little to the enjoyment of the gathering. A move was made for home about six o'clock, everybody having apparently been well satisfied with the day's outing.

Accident; to a Tbaction Engihb.—On Saturday afternoon an accident ooourr6d to Messrs A. Gh Wright and Co.'s traction engine, lbe engine and combine bad been engaged in threshing oats at the Arowhenua Station, and on the way there had successfully crossed the small bridge near Mr Whittington'a cottage. Mr Archer, the Road Board Overseer, hearing this, proceeded to the station and cautioned the driver that the bridge was not adapted for heavy traffic. The driver, however, considered that by detatching the combine and passing it and the engine over separately ho would be enabled to accomplish the crossing safely and thus save a journey of several miles. In this, however, he was mistaken. No sooner was the engine fairly on the bridge than the two off wheels sank through the deoking with a crash, and for a moment or two there seemed a prospect of the engine being thrown into the creek. Fortunately the tender was resting on one of the girders of the bridge and this withstood the strain. The engine was temporarily secured for the night and early on Sunday mornine Messrs Biegert and Fauvel, accompanied with one of the mill hands and Mr Archer, proceeded to the spot with the view of placing the engine in safety. The bridge was supported from beneath with trestles and and by means of plenty of timber and a hydraulic lift the engine was successfully removed to a portion of safety. The firm are to be congratulated that the acoident was not more serious, is it is it would be well if some more stringent regulations were in force with regard to regulating the passage of these heavy engines over the various wooden bridges in the district.

Bbljieh) Sunday Sohooi. Tbbat. Saturdaj, January let, was a red letter day to the inhabitants of the usually quiet settlement of Belfield. -The teachers s of the recently established 'Primitive 'Methodist Sunday School, in arranging for the first children's treat, decided to invite the cooperation of the local School Committee, and to throw it open to the whole of the children in the neighborhood. The suggestion was heartily taken up by the Committee, and subscriptions were gathered by several friends to meet the expenses. Contributions came in so freely (fully £lO being subscribed) that a free tea was provided for teachers, scholars, parents and friends. By 2.30 p.m. the school ground presented an animated appearance, the children having commenced their games, and the young men on horsebaok were in the paddock across the road engaged in the old-fashioned pastime of tilting in the ring. Soon after. 3 o'olock the children's races were commenced, under the superintendence of Mr Graham (schoolmaster), who acted as handicapper and starter, Rev. J. Boothroyd, and Messrs Griffiths (Chairman of School Committee), Newport, Turpin, Benson, and Tetheridge. Seven races were ran before tea, and prizes—consisting of baskets, dolls, purses, penknives, bat and ball, etc. —were given to the first, second, and third in each race. Tea was served at 4.30 p.m. by the teachers and several of the | School Committee and friend?, the children, sitting on the grass, being plentifully supplied with sandwicheo, cake, tarts, buns and tea, and the adults, in the schoolroom, with 1 similar fare. There were nearly 70 ohildren served, and 130 adults (including young men and maidens) sat down in the BchWroonV, fully 200 in all.. After tea six races were run by the children who had not won in the previous events, when similar prizes were given to the first three in each race, the wbo'e concluding with a consolation race. Games were now indulged in by the children, and the following adult races were run, email money prizes being given :—Single Women's Eace, Married Women's .Race, Single Men's Race, and Married Men's Race. By 7 o'clock the friends began to disperse, several visitors being present froin.Geruldioe, Temuka, Rangitata, Orari, etc, Great praise is due to the teachers and the School Committee for their exertions, to the Indies for presiding at the.tea, and to the friends who so liberully subscribed and in various wuys contributed to make this treat the most successful gathering ever held in the settlement.

Thk Late Acoidbmt.—We learn that Mr Claridge, who was lecently injured at Mr Hayhurst's new mill, is recsvering Tory rapidly, and will soon be as well as ever. Ostrich Breeding in Cantkrrurt.— Mr J. T. Matson informs the Lyttelton Times,that seven of his ostrich eggs were successfully hatched out on Thursday, and that the little straogers are doing as well as can be expected. We 'may mention that Messrs B. Peterson and Co., of Christchurch, are now engaged in making a cup from the shell of the first ostrich eg& laid in Canterbury. The egg-cup when finished will be presented by Mr J. T. Matson to tbe Papanui Sports Committee, as the President's Cud, to be mn for at their annual sports. The shell will be mounted in silver, with a silver cup inside the shell, and the ornamentation will consist of New Zealand ferns worked on silver. There will be an ebony stand to the cup, and the whole will make a prize well worth winning. Fatal Accident. A Bad accident happened in the Timuru roadstead on Saturday afternoon, whereby a young man named T. Biirell lost his life. The weather was fine and a party consisting of Messrs J. E. S. Jackson, Geo. Shirtcliff, J. G. Hughes, D. Maclean, J. Lawrenson, T. Birrell, and D. Turnbull, went out for a sail. Finding the wind rather strong after getting out side the breakwater, they returned and took in sail. They had not gone far out again, however, when the boat capsized, and all were thrown into the vater. All conld swim with one exception, and several struck out for the breakwater, the deceased among the number, Boatß from the shipping and from th» wharf at once put off to the rescue, but poor Birrell sank just before help arrived. The others were saved. The deceased was a first-rate swimmer, was 22 years of ag3, and was very highly respected. Great sympathy is expressed for his bereaved purents, ind flags were hoisted half-mast high. Great efforts were made to recover the body but proved unsuccessful. : New Threshing Machine.—Mr A. Kelman, of the Geraldine Road, bat received a letter from Mr W. G. Campbell, «vlio at the date of it (Nov. 20th) was in Glasgow. The letter is to the effect that he has purchased, and will hare in this district in February next a threshing machine of a bew design, and which he considers superior to anything yet »een in New Zealand. He says—" I can trivel six miles an hour with comfort. The engine carries enough water in the tank for six or seven miles, nnd uses 60 percent, less coal than any other. It is on tbe compound principle, and is by a different maker from Boy in Canterbury. His name is Edwin Foden, of Eljrorth Foundry, Sandback, Cheshire. His machinery . has taken., the first honors against all the best makers at the last competitions. The mill iV on quite a new principle ; it has got. no blast faos like the old ones,tand no upper riddles. All is dressed by what he calls an * exhaust blast,' and much finer riddles can be used in the lower riddle box ; that is where all the riddles are, there being no upper riddles. The grain comes from the tuaibler, and spreads, falling against a strong blast, which cleans all dust and chaff that ruay remain, and also blows all the light grain into the light spout, where a bag is hung. That greatly relieves the screen, which has a better chance to do its, work. You have only to seo it, when lam sure you will like it; it acts so naturally. I went and thoroughly tested one of the machines, and found it tbe most natural and most perfect dresser every way that could be desired. The eDgtoe and machine are made specially for myself. The mill is the largest he ever made—--5 feet 6 inches wide, with shakers 12 feet long on double cranks. The screen is made specially large and strong. All my suggestions he is willing to do, so that i think I will have a machine that will be as perfect as can be made." D. MoGtjinnbbs begs to inform his friend and the public that the Shilling Lunches hitherto served at the Railway Refreshment Rooms will, on and after Saturday, the 20th Nov., be discontinued, and in future will (with the same liberal menu) be provided iu the large and elegant dmingroom of the Club Hotel. In future lunch at Railway Refreshment Booms, 2s 6d; at Club Hotel, I«. [Adtt.] _^

SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENT. Geraldioe Poundkeeper—lmpounded notice ro 12 sheep. Geraldine County Counoil—Notice re registration of dogs. Primitive Methodist Cburob, Temuka— Notioe re anniversary services, tea meeting, etc.

Woodhead and Son Hare accepted Creedy and Uden's tender for pulling ; linseed, etc. R. Wood—Announces that, he will commence teaching the violin, viola and cello, on the 15th January at Temuka. S. D. Barker, Land, Estate and General Commission Agent, Gram and Produce Broker, etc, 222, Hereford Street, Christchuroh—Announces that be has money to lend in large or small sums, on. approved freehold security ; debts collected.