LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1556, 22 February 1887, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Good Yields. —Threshing is proceeding at; present with satisfactory results. We have beard of a yield of 50 bushels of wheat to the acre, and 80 bushels of oats. For a dry season this is not bad. G bealdinb Rifles. —An inspection parade o*" lira corps is ordered for this evening Members must fall in at 7.15 sharp. After the parade a meeting of the corps will be held for the purpose of electing a Lieutenant. Geraldine County Council, Mr W. M. Moore was the ouly person nominated on Friday for the representation of the ‘Geraldine Riding on the Geraldine County Council, and was declared by the Returning Officer to be duly elected. Tkmuea Licensing! Committee,— The poll for the election of five gentlemen to form a Committee for the Temuka district tikes place to-day. The names of candidates and polling places (which will be open from 9 o.m. to 6 p.m.) will be found in our advertising columns. “ Death to the Sparrows.” Mr B. Hughes, of Ashburton, writes to the Press, slating that he has discovered a “simple, cheap, and effective” plan of reducing the small birds evil to a minimum. Before ex--1 t Lining his plan he intends to get legal protection for the idea. The Late David Kennedy.—-1 proposal which is being received with marked favor has been made in Edinburgh to have a national monument raised to the late David Kennedy, the well-known Scottish vocalist. It is suggested that the various Burns Clubs throughout the empire might be utilised as a means of receiving support for the movement, St. Mary’s, Geraldine, —The Rev. Jas. Preston, Incumbent of this Church, conducted the services on Sunday for the first lime since his recent severe illness. There was a good congregation, and the rev, gentleman took advantage of the opportunity to publicly thank his parishioners for the kindness and resistance they had extended towards him during his illness. Death Chloroform.—On Saturday evening (says the Press) when Edward Pimm wasdriyiog home from the Head of the isay from Lyt:elton he got I iti7) w |] opt of his trap and dislopated nis shoulder and wa? pfhgrwiae injured. He was brought back to Dr Q-uthrie, who, I with the assistance of Dr Lewis put the 1 sufferer under chloroform preparatory to I seit'Pg the shoulder. Toe patient unfortunately died while under the influence of (he drug.

Profitable. Some of the farmers owning flu land in Poverty Bay will this year derive as much as £3 an acre for the right to gather grass seed. Novel Ballots.—At a concert at Patea (he other day there were two novel items on the programme. A ballot of lidies was taken as to who was the handsomest man in the district, and a ballot of gentlemen was taken as to who was the prettiest lidy. The local paper does not give the results of the ballots, or whether it agreed with them, but it alludes to the latter item as “ sensational,”

The Cain Muedbb Case.- Mr H. D. Bell, Crown Prosecutor of Wellington, will argue for the defence the points reserved in Hall case. Before acceding to the request he consulted the Attorney-General, but Sir Robert Stout considered that no mere technical objection or matter of official etiquette should stand in the way of a man m Hall’s position obtaining the assistance of the ablest pleader to argue a point of law upon the decision of which his life depends.

Heb Majesty the Queen.—A Now York World’s London special of January 3 says ; —The Queen is breaking very rapidly, and she is conscious that her life cannot be spared many years longer. The only shadow over the Jubilee year is a general apprehension among the people of England that the Queen may not live until the year is completed. The appearance of old age is most clearly marked on her jubilee portrait, which has just been completed and placed in the gallery leading to her private apartments at Windsor.

Australian Coal.—The arrival at Barcelona of some gas coal from Australia has excited there a great deal of interest. It is said to be of excellent quality, and yields a gas of high illuminating power, in this respect being much superior to the Boyhead coal hitherto used. So satisfied has the Barcelona Gas Company been with the experiment that it has ordered several cargors more, although the price of at lea:t seven shillings per ton, which the Australian product runs to is very high. It is stated that a Marseille house has also tried the coal.

Cricket. —The final match between Shaw and Lilly white’s team and an E.even of New South Wales commenced on Friday. The New South Wales team went in first, and when the stumps were drawn they had lost eight wickets for 134 runs. On Saturday the game was concluded, the innings closing for 141. The Englishmen then went in and were all disposed of* for 99. New South Wales followed for their second innings, and when the stumps were drawn had scored 78 for one wicket.

Accident. —An accident fortunately unattended with serious results happened to Master James Dyson, a son of Mr Geo, Dyson, at Temuka last Saturday morning. He was riding one horse and leading another, and also bad a number of parcels in his hands. When near Mr Findlay’s blacksmith’s shop, hallway Terrace, the led horse proved restive, and as the boy did not let go the leading rein he was dragged from his seat ar.d fell violently to the ground. He was stunned by the fall, and the bystanders fearing he was seriously hurt sent for a doctor and his friends. Before the arrival.of the former, however, the young fellow recovered his senses and made his way home. He was much shaken and bruised, but no bones were broken.

Timaeu Gas Company. —The annua 1 meeting of the Timaru Gas Company was held on Friday evening. The profit for the year was announced as a little over £3OOO. A divided of 5 per cent was paid m September last, and a further dividend of per cent was declared, making a total of 12£ per cent for the year. £507 7s lid was carried forward. The Directors’ report stated that owing to the exercise of strict economy among consumers (here was a decrease in the output of gas for the year. The improvements to the retort house were fully completed, and the mains had been much extended. The Chairman stated that the street lamps were now lighted at the same rate as those in Christchurch, “ the Directors not wishing to seethe town indifferently lighted.” The report was adopted and the retiring Directors were re-elected. Land Claims Commission. — The Commission’s report on the land claims recommends that 191 Volunteers, and a leas number of old soldiers, should receive remission certificates. The exact number of the latter cannot be obtained at present. Certificates are of the value of £3O, and entitle the holders to land to that amount. In some oases the , Provincial Governments formerly gave cash. The report states that, through the failure of the Provincial Governments to adopt various old enactments, many claims which would have been valid cannot be recognised. In some districts they were ignored altogether, in others merely brought into force fora year or two ; in others the money was voted annually but no permanent provision was made ; and claims from these districts are consequently now burred.

Bitten by Eels. —One of our amateur fishermen when “ taking an eel off a spear” the other night, got a nasty bite on the wrist, which rudely dispelled a settled belief of his that “ eels will not bite” those handling them. That Temuka eels are not singular in biting members of the human family the following, taken from the Taranaki Herald fully proves: —“Two of the sons of Mr Oharlts Oliver were attacked by eels this week while bathing in the Mangorei river. The eldest, a lad of sixteen, called at our office and displayed a nasty bite just below the cdf of the left leg. The marks of the bite are on both sides of the limb, and the outline of the eel’s mouth is most clearly and unrais’akeably imprinted in the flesh. The wounds on each side are about two inches long, and are in shape like the half of an ellipsis. The other lad was seized by the toes, while wading in water less than a foot in depth, and the marks of the bite are, as in the ease of his brother, most unmistakeably defined.”

Wellington Philosophical Society.— The annual balance-sheet of the Wellington Philosophical Society shows receipts £275 and expenditure £2OB. Dr Hutchinson was elected President, and Mr W. T. L. Praters and the Hon. P. R, Johnston Vice-Presidents. The subject of ssriculture engaged the attention of the Philosophical Society for a short time on Saturday evening. Mr P. W. Pennefather, read an interesting paper, entitled, “ A new method of »tilising silk cocoons suitable for New Zealand produce,” The writer stated that whilst lecturing on New Zealand during his recent visit to Great Rritaio, he was waited upon by Mr Richards, owner of large silk mills in Yorkshire, who desired information respecting the prospects of sericulture in the colony. In reply to Mr Richards’ questions, he expressed the opinion that the silk rearing industry would not flourish here, in face of the high price paid for labor. In the course of conversation Mr Richards informed him that he now possessed jaachinery for utilising cocoons' through which the worms had eaten their way, and since his return to JjTew Zealand he (Mr Pennefather) had received ii letter from that gentleman stating that lie was prepared to giye froin 3s to 4s per pound for cocoons grown in New Zealand. After some discussion as to whether it would pay tp produce cocoons for the prioe mentioned, the matter dropped,

Fxeb Brigade Demonbtbation, —Lieut. MoSheeby Gentlemun, with Foreman Burridge, Branobman Clinch, and Firemen Davey, Weir, Carr, and Rosco (members of the Temuta Fire Brigade), left Temnka on Saturday by the express train for Dunedin, where they take part in the great demonstration there.

The Panama Canal.—At a recent meeting of the Geographical Society M. de Lessepf reiterated his opinion that the Panama Oansl will be opened for traffic in 1889. He added, “ Thsre will not be sufficient time for the construction of locks; we shall make them later on. The essential point is that by the date mentioned shipping shall be abb to pass through the canal.”

One of the Admiral’s Sobt. The Auckland Herald publishes the fallowing good anecdote anent the Premier, who is a staunch teetotaller ; —Sir Robert was visiting one of Her Majesty’s warships at Wellington, when the captain ordered out wine to drink

the Queen’s health. The Premier said he “ did not drink wine.” “ Ab,” replied the captain, “ you are one of my sort. Steward, here, bring in the brandy.” Tbmpbhanck Address.—Mr D. Goldie, of Auckland, addressed the children of the Primitive Methodist Sunday School, Geraldine, on Sunday afternoon. Mr Goldie, who i» an exceedingly fluent and interesting speaker, was listened to with rapt attention. In the evening he preached in the same Church to a good congregation. He also intimated that he would address the children of the Band of Hope and their friends in the Primitive Methodist Church this evening at 7 o’clock. Commotion in the Office. Quite a commotion was caused in the Telegraph office at the Orari on Saturday last. A com bine belonging to Mr Groundwater was proceeding along the road drawn by a strong team of horses. While passing under the wires, which at the Orari cross the road, the props of the elevator caught against them, and the fact not being observed, the consequence was that the wires were broken in two places. Being only a few yards from the office, the commotion caused there can be better ima lined than described, the astonished officials eviden'ly thinking that it was a case of “ The de’il among the batteries.”

A Brutal Husband. James Charles Hornsby, a well-dressed man, was charged at the Christchurch Police Court on Saturday with assisting his wife on February 13lh. He pleaded guilty. The complainant, who was very weak, gave her evidence in a tone scarcely audible. She stated in effect that the accused came home last Saturday evening the worse for drink. He pulled her out of bed, and used her roughly on the floor. She got outside, but he brought her back, dragged her about the kitchen floor and jumped on her body. She had been confined to her bed for a few days previous to this. It was not the first time her husband bad illused her. She begged the Bench to be lenient with him, as he was all right except when in drink. Dr Guthrie described the complainant’s injuries. There was evidence on her body of considerable violence having been used. The prostration she was now suffering from was partly due to another cause for which he had been attending her. The accused, in reply to the Bench, asked for another chance, and promised to turn over a new leaf. The Bench administered a severe caution, and said that had it not been for the appeal made by his wife, and his own promise, he would have been severely dealt with. He was sent to gaol for one montb’i hard labour. —Telegraph. Under the Influence.—A settler in the Temuka district who was celebrating bis birthday, or the Queen’s jubilee, or something else, became the observed of all observers for a couple of hours on Saturday afternoon. He planted himself in the Main street, Temuka, and for a time divided his attention between the lookers-on on either side of him. Then he pounced on a passer-by, and challenged him to fight, but failing in his efforts to promote a quarrel he passed over to. the other aide, where his approach made those on Hie footpath take to their heels. He went on to the middle of the

road again, only to rush after some un-

fortunate pedestrian, and such as did not run from him came in for some rough usuage. In this way he caused all and sundry to take a deep interest in him, till at last he fell into the embraces of Constable Guerin. The embrace was returned heartily, and a rough and tumble struggle for supremacy resulted in the settler being carted off in an express and lodged in the lockup. Two other men were locked up yesterday afternoon. R.M. Court, Tim aril— At the Residue i Magistrate’s Court, Timaru, yesterday, before J. S. Baa wick, Esq., R.M., Patrick Broderick was brought up on remand charged with lunacy from drink, an .1 as it appeared he had recovered, and had work to go to, he was discharged on promising to pay 10s, the costs incurred. John ricoD, a, similar sufferer, was dealt with in a like manner. T. McAuliffa was lined 10s for allowing two cows to wander at large. Seventeen owners of unregistered dogs were fined lOs and costs. A man named John Ingle was fined ss, with costs 8-i, for driving through the town after g dark without lights. E. H. Elliott was charged with laying poison on his premises, near a public road. Inspector Broham said he could prove that a number of valuable dogs had been poisoned through defendant’s action. Defendant bad not given notice of his intention to lay poison. Defendant said he had been seriously annoyed by dogs and fowls getting into his garden, and so he had .aid the poison to abate the nuisance. His Worship said he understood defendant’s position. People should keep their doge, etc., within their own boundaries, and not allow them to wander on other people’s grounds and destroy property. At the same time defendant must understand that this laying poison was most dangerous to the community. Fowls might e«t it and perhaps be Bffc o rwards eaten for food, and thus human beings might suffer. He should inflict a fine of IQs and costs, and hoped it would prove a warning to defendant. Oo Inspector Broham again saying that a valuable dog had been poisoned, His Worship said it should have been kept ■ from trespassing. Walter Towns-end, an expressman, was fined 10s and costs for assaulting W. A. Wood,

Meeting--at WoonguEy.—4. public meet? mg of the residents of Woodbury was held in the schoolhouse on Saturday evening last for the purpose of nominating members for a Cemetery Board. Thera was a fair attendance. Mr F. R, Flatman was voted to the chair and read the advertisement calling the meeting. The Chairman also read the correspondence received from the Hon. W. Rolleston on the subject, stating the usual course followed jn electing a Cemetery Board. The Act relating tp tlje ap'pqintipent of Trustees for the Ceipetery was also read. Mr J. H, Heap said from what the Chairman bad just fud he thought the ooane to be

followed was plain enough. He would propose that the Domain Board be asked to aot as a Cemetery Board. Mr Williams Cooland seconded the proposition, which was carried, Mr Flatman, as Chairman of the Domain Board, said he could not say whether they would be prepared to act in that, capacity. For his own part ho was quite willing to do so. Mr Hammond, as a member of the Domain Board, said for his part he would >--t,Vr decline the responsibility. The meeti., D then considered the ques'ion of ways and means. It was roughly calculated that a sum of about £25 would be necessary to fence in the cemetery, provide gates, and make a preliminary survey.. It was thought advisable by the meeting to raise this money by subscription if possible, instead of taking advantage of the powers vested in the trustees to borrow it, Mr Dean stated that the Hon. W. Rolleston had stated his willingness to give £2 2s as a subscription towards defraying the preliminary expenses. Mr Dean moved ; “ That subscription lists be opened for the purpose of defraying the cost of surveying and fencing the cemetery.” Mr Hick seconded the motion, which was carried, the meeting being unanimously in favour of this method of raising the money. It was decided to prepare subscription lists to lie at the Woodbury Hotel and Mr Flatman’s store. The Chairman said the next step was to call a meeting of the Domain Board and ask them if they would be willing to accept the responsibility. This being all the business a rote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the meeting. Railway Refreshment Rooms, Timabh. —D. McGuinness begs to inform his numerous friends, and the travelling public in particular, that having taken the above rooms for a fresh term be has decided to reduce the charges hitherto made, and in future they will be as follow ; —Breakfast in readiness for early trains, Is 6d; Hot Lunch or Dinner, served up in the hitherto well-known profuse style, on arrival of North and South Express train", Is 6d. Tea and Coffee always in readiness, and choice confectionery, &o. The lessee would especially draw attention to the Ladies’ Privats Dining-room, which has been specially arranged and furnished for their convenience. A waitress is always in attendance. The usual Is Lunches are still continued at the Club Hotel. —Advt.

SYNOPSIS OF ADVBBTISJSMEN 13. Geraldine Rifles menders'. Maeauley Bros., Milford —lnvite tenders for thinning 14 acres turnips; lenders olois on Friday. Geraldine County Council Result of election to fill vacancy for Geraldine riding on the Council. J. Ballmtyne and Co., Victoria House, Timaru—Announce ■ hat till the end of the month they will offer all their summer fancy goods at sale price.