LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1563, 2 April 1887, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Baob Privileges. —To-day Messrs J. Mundell and Co. sell the privileges in connection with the forthcoming Woodbury races.

Clearing Sale of Farming Plant.—On Tuesday next Messrs Gracia, Maclean, and Adam, with Messrs J. Mundell and Co , sell the extensive farming plant of Messrs Bruce and Holwell, Kakahu, three miles from Winchester.

The Shooting Season.— The shooting season opened yesterday, and some good bags were made. Dr Hayes and Mr Hargreaves had a bag of 38 ; Messrs Keftlewell and F. K. Gray, 30 ; Mr W. Smith 16, and Mr Findlay 10.

Tbmuka Yoluntkbrs.— The Temuku Rifles and High School Cadets will attend a Church parade to-morrow. Members are requested to fall m at the Drillshed at 10.15 s.m. On Wednssday evening a Government inspection parade will bo held in the Drillshed at 7.30 o’clock.

Donation. —Wa understand that the Rev. T, A. Hamilton, Incumbent of St. Saviour’e Church, Temuka, has received from his parishioners u handsome coulri kution towards repairing the damage done to his buggy in the accident which occurred to him some time ago.

Trial of Gilpin’s Sulky Plough.— Mr H. B. Webster, the Geraldine agent for these ploughs, intends to hold a public trial of the same in Mr Postlethwaile’s wheat paddock on Tuesday next at one o’clock. Farmers and others interested will thereby be able to judge of the merits of this implement, which is becoming so popular among agriculturists.

North Island Maoris’ Estate. —The following figures show the acreage of land now in possession of tho Maoris of the North Island, not yet put through the Native Land Court:—Auckland,’4,4s2,2oo; Hawke’s Bty, 370,272 ; Wellington, 1,742,814 ; Taranaki, 928,400 ; total, 7,493.686.

OiiAeidgb Aid Fund, —The Rev. T. A. Hamilton acknowledges the following sums, etc., received during the week : —J. Austin, 5s ; another friend, 2s 6d ; T. MedlicoM, 2s; W. H. Alderton, ss; James McOort, Is; John Maze, 2s 6d ; George Freddy, 2s 6d j Ah Pea, 2s 6d j A. White (Tinmu), one ton of coals; A. W. Gaze, freight of sime. Ihe lists are now closed. The total amount received was £7 2s 6d. Pbimitiyb Methodist Chdboh, Geraldine. — A congregational meeting of this church was held in the vestry on Thursday evening last. The Rev. J. W. Dean occupied the chair, and there was a fair attendance, ahe object of the meeting was to demise the best means for liquidating a debt of £65 th«t still cxisl s upon the property. It was decided to hold a gift auction on May sth. Committees of both ladies and genllemsn were appointed to canvass the congregation and ihe district for subscriptions in the shape of either money or goods. One member present promised a donation of £5, so that the efforts of the congregation have received an impetus that should augur well for success.

Fatal Accident near Fajelie Creek. - -Murdoch Elder, a shepherd, well known in Timaru ns a Highland piper, was found by a man named Gardner on the road near Fairlie Creek on Wednesday in an unconscious condition, and died shortly after his removal to the Fair ie Creek Hotel. From the evidence given at the inquest on Thursday, it appeared that the deceased, while under the influence of drink, fell off his horse and was dragged a short distance. Dr Drew stated that he had made a post mortem examination of the body, and found the back of the skull fractured. A verdict of accidental death whs returned. The deceased leaves a wife, who resides in Timaru.

Resident Magistrate’s Codxt, Geraldine. —The following are the returns for the quarter ending the 3l»t March, 1887 t —Sittings of Court, 8 ; number of civil cases, 45 ; total amount sued for, £425 10s 6d ; total amount recovered, £149 10s; fines received, £37 Bs. Returns for the same quarter during 1886 were as follow : Sittings, 7; number of cases, 22 ; tots! amount sued for, £135 10s 7d ; total amount recovered, £59 16s Id ; fees, £l4 12s. Criminal cases, various offences, 21; fees, £6 6s; fines, £ls Returns for same period during 1886 were as follows 8 cases ; fees, £2 14s; fines, £3 15». Licensing fees, 10s. From the • hove we learn that the business of the Court has been more than doubled, taking the two quarters for the years 1886-87.

New Zealand Shipping Company.— Private advices (says the Press) have been been received by the mail from apparently trustworthy sources to the effect that Mr Leonard Hamer’s mission to England on behalf of the New Zealand Shipping Company has been entirely successful; tbit he has been able to got the Company’s finances placed on a wholly satiVactory footing; that re-or-ganisation and retrenchment in the service have been effectively carried out; that extensive economies have bean proved practicable ; that a large saving results from the outward steamers coming first to Wellington and distributing their cargo thence; and that a very strong Loudon Board has been formed, including among its members Sir John Qorst, Mr Mundellu, and Mr Pearce, Director of a well-known shipping firm, noted for his extensive experience in steamship trade and knowledge of its requirement*. Captain Hallett lias been appointed Marine Superintendent, and great things are expected from bis ability in the direction of improved efficiency and diminished expens-s. The opinion in well-informed London circles is said to be that the companv has now surmounted the preliminary difficulties, and has a prosperous career ahead.

Saved BY A Dog.—A farmer living at Castalnaudary, ia the department of the Aude, bus had, owing to the prompt fidelity of hu dog, a narrow escape from being murdered. The details of the case read like a chapter of a dramatic tala ly Sue or Dumas. The farmer Iliad just returned with his dog from the fields as night was begining to fall His wife told him on entering the house, that ehe had given a glass of wine to a strange man who had come to her pleading thirst, and that the person had then gone away. The dog, however, began sniffing about the place, and suddenly, barbing aloud with savage fury, it flew under its master’s bed and seized the strange man, who was biding there, by the throat. The fellow tried in vain to throw off the animal, but it tore out his windpipe and killed him. The gendarmes were then sent for, and they found a dagger, revolver, and a thieves’ whistle in the pocket, of the deceased. l Bidding every one to go quietly into a room and remain quiet, one of the gendarmes blew the whistle with all his might at an open window. The device succeeded admirably, for in less than ten minutes four ruffians appeared on the scene and entered the house. They were immediately arrested, and did not offer the slightest resistance.

Stock Sale,—Messrs J. Mundell and Co. publish in another column parttoulors of their monthly sale, which takes place at their yards, Geraldine, on Wednesday next, April 6th. The entries tor th b sale are extremely numerous, and should attract a very large number of buyers.

Railway Boakd. —At the next meeting of the full Cabinet it. is intended that the question of introducing a bill to hand over the control of the railways to a non-political board will be discussed, but it is doubtful whether the Government will introduce the bill this session.

The Rangitata. —We learn that, as we recently stated, the Rangitata river has completely gone to the north branch, and that there is only a very miall stream running dowu the South side at present. When the river goes down it is not expected that the water in the South branch will be sufficient to form a boundary, in fact, some people think it will dry up altogether. This settles the much vexed question of the Rangitata river for the present. Population op the Colony.—The following is a return of the estimated population (inclusive and exclusive of Maoris) of the Colony of New Zealand, on the 31ft December, 1886 : —Population as enumerated at the census of 28th March, 1886—Males, 312,221; females, 266,261; total, 578,482. Increase from 28th March to 31st December —Males, 5425 ; females, 5479; total, 10,904. Estimated population on 31st December, 1836 (exclusive of Maoris) —Males 317,646; females 271,740; total, 589,386. Maori population, census March, 1886—Males, 22,868 ; females, 18,960 ; total, 41,828. Total estimated population, 31st December; 1886—Males, 340,514; females, 290,700, total, 631,214.

Alleged Indecent Assault.—At the Ri-aidenb Magistrate’s Court, Titnaru, on Thursday last Geo. and Charles Parker and F, G. Slater were charged on remand with indecently assaulting Jane Fleming Dines, aged 17, at Fairlio Creek, on February 22. The evidence showed that the girl was enciente, and encaged to be married to George Parker. On the evening of the date named Chas. Parker asked her to go for a walk down the road with him, and said he would give her a message from his brother. At a lonely place the girl alleged the assault was committed by Charles, and George and Slater then appeared, George stating that after what he had seen he could not marry her. The girl denied that she had been unfdthful to him, and said Charles had knocked her down. For the defence it was alleged that Georg'', being engaged to be married to the girl, was told I hat she was unfaithful to him and to settle the matter got bis brother Charles to take the girl out for a walk, when she was a consenting party to what happened. Slater was merely there as an independent witness. The prisoners were committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court at Tiraaru, bail being allowed.

S. C. Hospital and Charitable Aid Boabd. —A special meeting of the above Board wa» held on Thursday. Present— Messrs John Jackson (Chairman), J. Talbot, D. McLaren, B. El*orthy, Dr. Lovegrove, B. A. Barker, and W. Balfour. On the motion of Mr Talbot, seconded by Mr Barker, it was resolved—“ That the estimates of expenditure for the Hospital and Charitable Aid maintenance, amounting to £7409, for the period ending March 31st, 1888, be adopted and forwarded to the Government as required by the Acts; also that the amount to be contributed by the different local bodies be apportioned pro rata among them, in accordance with clause 26 of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Act, 1886, and the requisite demands for payment be made, in two equal half-yearly payments, on June Ist and December Ist, 1888.” Messrs Elworthy and McLaren protested nguint the amount demanded from the Waimat# County and Borough. Esiolved—“ That the following report of the committee be adopted :—That there be a consulting staff to consist of such medical men in Timaru as may wish to have their names placed upon the Let, the visiting staff to consist of two of the above, who with the Besident Surgeon shall, for the time being, be the medical officers of the institution; that the visiting ataff be elected by the Board, and hold office for twelve months; that the first membeis of the visiting staff be elected from the consulting staff by ballot, and subsequent elections from those moaners of the consulting staff who may have been the longest period on ths visiting staff ; t hat, the visiting staff and Besident Surgeon shall take charge of the patients admitted to (tie hospital in rotation, week about,” The meeting then terminated. Wesleyan Church, Temuka. The Circuit quarterly meeting was held at the residence of Mr J. Brown, on Thursday evening. There was a good attendance of officials present, and the Eev. W. G. Thomas (Pastor of the Church) occupied the chair, ' Whm all the income is to hand it is expected that current expenses will be met and a little of the balance deficit wiped off. The condition of the Sabbath School was reviewed and a desire was expressed that Mr J. Harrison should superintend the Temuka school this year. Under the question concerning promotion of God’s work in the circuit, a great number of matters were considered. Arrangements were made for lighting and cleaning the central church. Economic measures were devised, by which it was hoped the ordinary expenditure will be lessened, and other measures were suggested by which a sensible increase of the income was anticipated. The condition of the New Zealand Methodist, was considered and discussed, but no special action was taken in the matter. Other details of Church management and finance having been duly considered, and a cordial vote of thanks presented to Mr and Mrs J. Brown for their kind hospitality to the membeis of the Quarter Board, a most, important conversation took place on the subject of a new church in Temuka. After thoughtful, earnest, and careful consideration of this vital matter, on the motion of Mr J. W. Miles, seconded by Mr J. Watson, it was unanimously resolved ;—“ That it i* the opinion of this meeting that steps should be taken towards the erection of a new Church in Temuka, and that the Chairman and Mr J. Brown be a Committee to obtain plane and all other necessary information on the matter, to be laid before a congregational meeting at an early date, and then in due course, and by legal nolioe, before a duly constituted trustee’s meeting.” Eailway Eefeeshmbnt Booms, Timaeu. —D. McGuinness begs to inform his numerous friends, and the travelling public in particular, that having taken the above room* for a fresh term he 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 trains, Is 6d. Tea and Coffee always in readiness, and choice confectionery, &o. Ihc lessee would especially draw attention to the Ladies’ Private 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 ADVERTISEMENTS. 1 Funeral Notice —Re the late Mr W, C, Andrews. _ Temuka Rifles—Notice re Church and Go* I vernment. Inspection parades. I H, B. Webster, Geraldine—Hold* a trial | of the Gilpin Sulky Plough on Tuesday. J. Mundell and Co.—Publish full par- , tioulars of stock sale at Geraldine on Wed- ( nepdfiT. * VV. Clark and Co., General Storekeepers, Geraldine—Publish price list for April, and guarantee every line Al. '