LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1654, 1 November 1887, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Road Board. The monthly meeting of the Temuka Road Board takes plane to-day. The Rabbits. —Notice has been given in the House for the appointment, of a Select 1 Committee to deal with the question of the rabbit pest.

Freight on Cheese. Tho freight on cheese to be charged in future by the New Zealand Shipping Company will be 80s per ton in a ventilated part of the ship, and Id per lb in the cool chamber. Village Settlements. Last week Mr J. B. March inspected the village settlements and perpetual lease sections in the Oxford and Malvern districts. He is salt-fled with the general progress which is being made. Geraldine Monthly Sale.—The monthly sale of stock at Geraldine will take place to-morrow. Messrs J. Mundell and Co. advertise entries of croesorod hoggets, cattle, and pigs. Mr W. S. Muslin also sells various kinds of stock.

Licenses. year 35 licenses were refused on the ground that house* were not required. The total number of publicans' licenses issued was 1476, and the total number refused was 56. There are 115 brewars in the oolony, and tbs amount of beer doty paid was £53,000.

Winchester Mechanics’ Institute.— At a meeting of the Committee of the Winchester Mechanics’ Institute, it was decided that the Chairman write to the Orari Library Committee offering to po'l them a number of hooks, and also tffer 100 books of miscellaneous character to other libraries. It was decided tp pall a public meeting to consider the ady pability of reopening the reading room. Accident near Timartt, A young man named Collins and an elderly mm named Poole, were capsized out of n lemonade cart on Friday evening near Belfield's Hill, while driving into Timaru. Collins pot his collar bone and one leg broken and his face much cut, and Poole had several ribs broken, besides gustainipg injuries to his face and chest. The accident was caused by the horse taking fright at some swaggers who were sitting on the side of the road. CRICKET.— J he team of English crickfters organised by Mr Yemen, comm’need a match at Adelaide on Friday against eleven represepting South Australia. The weather was splendid and sp eipe})pn|j wicket was provided, hut (here was only a poor attendance of the public. The visitors went in fist and were all disposed of for 104 runs. The home team then went to the wickets, and at the close of the day had two wickets down for 64 rpne- Op Saturday the match was resumed, the innings of the hofpe team closing for 118. The visitors then commenced their second innings and at the close of the day had scored 136 runs "with the loss of two wickets.

ACTIVITY OP 'SiGKOE. Orispi.—Xho aged Btateaßjpniof our epoch eeem to bo endowed with preternatural tjotiyity. 4 few months ago, just before his acoe.sion to office, Signor Orispi, who fills the three offices of President of the Council, Minister of the Interior, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, spent a whole day at Palermo in mastering the details of a complicated paee in wbiph he ■yras engaged, crossed over to Naples at pight, appeared next day as an advocate in court, vyont on to Rome as soon as it was finished, where ho delivered an important speech in thp Assembly, and travelled all night to Yenics, in order to pre? side over a Board of arbitration in papneption. with ft maritime dispute. And Signor Orispi is now seventy years of 6gC. Waitoa.—Mr Chas. Gould, the owner of soipe 10,000 acres in the Waitoa district, adjoining Smith’s property, and who could have easily disposed of his }and at £j.Q per acre hud doubts not been thrown on the genuineness of Waitoa as a gold-bearing district, has written the following letter to the Waikato Times“ Having spent some time in Auckland investigating the evidence in support of the charge of salting the Waitoa deposit, I am reluctantly compelled to admit that the charge is substantiated bejo .d the possibility of a doubt. As to who did it, of coarse, I can say nothing. The manner in which it has been done, is, however, as evident as if one stood by and saw it done. To go into details would be unnecessary, as no man would write such ft letter 69 th'f if “nv doubt could exist j but at the name time I dp pgt wish to suy that there is absolutely no gold in the deposit, as it may even yet be proved to be payable, which is the utmost we can j Bpw hope for.”

Success. —The many friends of Mr | F. Wilsou-Smith will be glad to hear that 1 he has successfully passed the law examination held at Christchurch in September last, and is now entitled to be admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court. R.M. Count, Timaru.— At the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Timara, a man named Andrew Smith was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labor, for indecent exposure. A charge of indec .-nt assault preferred against Robert Fergusson was withdrawn. The offence was alleged to have been committed nine years ago. John Faulkner was fined 5* for drunkenness.

Ah Impudent Theft. —Mr G. Shaw, one of the competitors at the Amatear Athletic Sport? meeting, Ohistohurcb, had the sum of £4O stolen from his clothing, which he had left iu an unlocked portmanteau in the dressing room at Lancas'er Park, on Saturday. The thief, who had evidently gone into the room during the excitement of a race, overlooked a watch and a medal which were in another portion of the clothing. The police hare the matter in hand.—Press. Sudden Death. —A somewhat sudden death occurred at Geraldine on Saturday evening last. Mrs A. Coles was taken ill on Tuesday last with a severe cold which confined her to her bod daring the week, No particular danger, however, was apprehended, but on Saturday last she got rapidly worse and died about 8 o’clock in the evening. The funeral took place yesterday and was largely attended.

What is itl —We have been shown a piece of fresh barracouta which had been out from a fish purchase! in Timaru. Upon examination, the body of the fish was found to be almost a living mass of small worms resembling tape worms. They had penetrated their way through every portion of the fish until it seemed to be perfectly alive with them. Perhaps some of our readers may be able to explain the came. Major Atkinson. Replying to its own query, “ I* Major Atkinson equal to his task?” the Evening Post says: We hesitate to answer the question further than to say that his past record is not calculated to inspire an affirmative reply. It is impossible'.to forget that on a previous occasion, under somewhat, similar circumstances, he took such a pessimist view of the situation that his Financial Statement caused widespread dismay at home and abroad, seriously injured the credit of the co ! ony in London, and intensified the very evil he deplored and professed n desire to remedy." Superstition in Sicily.— Something like an insurrection has broken out in Sicily, owing to the reappearance of cholera, which the superstitious islanders look upon as the work of the Government. They barricade their houses, refuse ti admit (he medical men who have been delegated to attend to them, and offer a violent resistance to every measure of precaution. To make matters worse, the better instructed classes ars flying from Sicily in a panic of terror; and by way of reproving their cowardice, Signor Crispi has caused the names of the fugitives to be published in the Government Gazette. Among them are to be found mayors, sub-prefects, numbers of doctors, and the professors belonging to the faculty of medicine in the University of Citania. Not a single priest has deserted the island.

Favoring Monopoly.— Mr Fish ia to ask the Minister of Public Works “if ho will explain why he reduced the rotes for carrying undamped wool from stations between Stony Creek and Longridge for conveyance to Invercargill or Bluff on the Government lines south of Gore only, whilst charging the old rate on the Wuiinea district railway ; and is it not a fact that any deficiency in the working of the vVaimea Ilaios railway has to be made up bv a rate levied on the ratepayers in the district, of whom the New Zealand Agricultural Company ia the largest T’ It this is true the new Minister of Public Works has begun to favor the wool-growers very soon in his cueer. lie reduced the cost of carrying wool everywhere in the district except where it did not suit the Land Mompany, because if lowered there the company would have to make tip the deficiency by means of rates. This ia a good, bold beginning for a new-chum Minister. B.C. Saleyamds Company. The annual meeting of the South Canterbury Saleyards Gmpany took place on Saturday last. The annual repoit stated that there hsd been a suhs’uDti'i} increase pi business during the year, the numbers passed through the yards being 60,476 sheep, 2376 cattle, 582 pies, and 307 horses; as against 37,628 sheep, 1939 cjttle, 1073 pigs, and 463 horses, during the previous year’s operations. The gross fees, including dipping, this year amounted to £340 Is 5d as against £269 10s for the last year. The expenses, including debit balance of £lO 14s brought down from last year, were £330 Its lid, leaving the sum of £IOO 9s 6d at credit of profit and loss account, from winch the directors recommended that a dividend of fire per cent be made to shareholders, which would absorb £97 16s and leave £2 3s 61 to go forward to next year. The yards being in good repair, nothing was written off for depreoiation. The report was adopted, Messrs Bajfour and Moody were re-elected directors and Mr Quinn was appointed auditor. Spoetino.— The first day’s racing of the Victorian Racing Club's Spring Meeting took place at Flemingcon on Saturday last. There was a very large attendance of spectators, among then} being Sir H. and Lady Loch, Sir W. Robinson, Sir R. and Lady Hamilton, Lord Carrington, the Marquis and Marchioness of Drogheda, and the Earl of Buckinghamshire. The course was in splendid order. Results; —Melbourne Stakes, 1$ miles: Mr Cooper’s Silvermine 1, Mr Donovan’s Dunlop 2, Mr Osborne's Algerian 3. A field of six horses faced the starter. Algerian and Trident cut out the running, and together led the field until the straight was reached. Then Silvertnine and Dunlop forged ahead, and a magnificent struggle home ensued, Silver mine being successful, beating Dunlop after a splendid finish by a neck j Algerian a good third; Trident fourth, very close up, Charger an 4 Silyer Prinpe syerp the otfier starters, but the latter never was dangerous. 10 to 1 was offered against Silvertnine at the post. Trident was favorite, and started at even money. Time—2min 13isec. Hotbam Hand!o ip, 1} miles t Mr Jones's The Levi tie 1, Mr [ Ojarfce’g Menotte 2, Mr Nolhern's Keith Spade Guinea and others started, Time—■ 2min 53}arc. The Maribyrnong Plate, 5 furlongs: Mr Wilson, junr’a., Lonsdale 1, Mr Lough’s Consequence 2, Mr Cooper’s Lady Betty 3, Time—lmin 4seo. The Victoria Derby, miles: Mr W. Gannon’s The Australian Peer 1, Hon. J. White s Aberoorn, and Mr W. Cooper’s Niagara ?. Time—grain 40seo. The Selling Race was won by Mr Miller’s Lando, and the Coburg Stakes by Mr Quintin s Matsys. At Tattersali’s on Saturday night the betting market was completely revolutionised by the results of the day’s racing. The win of Australian Peer is a bad ope for the ring, as he had been backed heavily in doubles by the Sydney division. Mr Gannon, the owner of him, wins £IJ,OCKX Mr Gannon also stands well about Australian Peer for the double event,

Cutting Down Wages. —Mr Fish, of Dunedin, is to ask the'Minister of Public Works “ if he has issued instructions to the heads of the Railway Department in Dunedin to discharge a number of men now receiving 5s and 6s per day, and, if so, how many are to bo dischirged ; (2) is it true that instructions have been issued to reduce the wages of men now receiving 7s to 6s 6d per day ? (3) if the above statement is correct, is it the intention ofthe Government to redu :e the salaries of the beads of the departments in like proportion f' This sort of retrenchment will only increase the number of unemployed and make matters worse. Mr Fisher, Minister of Education, has said that the interests of the taxpayers should be the first consideration, and that will doubtless be the policy. A Fbbhoi Pastimb.—Frog spearing is & questionable kind ef amusement which, it appear*, is at present indulged in by French aristocratic idlers who ate trying to kill the long summer days in country seats. Tbs latest instance of this peculiar kind of sport, says the Fans correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, took place in the grounds of the Chateau of Bellancourt* After luncheon a party ot “ ladies and gentlemen,” armed with weapons resembling crossbows, the arrows being of haxel-wood with iron lanes beads, and attached to the bow by silken String*, so as to enable the frogs to be hauled in, proceeded to the banks of a pond. Then there was a great deal of ucoeremonioue stooping down as the frogs appeared, and arrows wero let off in all directions, the slaughter being considerable on the part of those who pursued the sport for the purpose of bagging game, The impaled batrachians were in ell cases carefully collected and handed over to the cook.

The Californian Thistle. —Mr Mackenzie (O’lutha) intends in the House to-day to ask if the Government propose introducing any measure for stopping the spead of Californian thistle. The noxious weed is making rapid headway in several parts of Ot'igo and Canterbury, and unless prompt action is taken to eradicate it farmers and pastoral settlers will be considerable sufferers. The Californian thistle is perennial, and is unlke the other varieties of the family iu this respect. It spreads from the root, and a distance

below tho surface too great for the plough to reach. The cosh of clearing the land is beyond the value of the ground. Farmers have tried the ordinary means, such as disc harrowing, but without any satisfactory resu't. Establishing piggeries upon spots where the thistle is bad is the latest method adopted. Farmers have also dug deep ditches about patches in order to corifine the weed within a limit, and have abandoned (be land. At present the weed is confined to a few localities, but if some steps are not soon taken by those in authority the danger from its spread cm hardly be estimated. It has caused great loss in Tasmania and America to the farmer*. To the ladies of Timaru and surrounding district.— Another reduction to meet the times. A cup of tea or coffee with cake supplied at all hours at tho Railway Befreihment Rooms for 6d. Luncheon as usual. A waitress in attendance for ladies. The Shilling Lunches still continue at the Club Hotel. D. McGuinness, Proprietor.—Advt. SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS. John Mclnness, Tenmka— Ha* a good quiet cow, in full profit, for sale - . Thursday Half Holiday in Geraldine— Commences on 17th November. J. Mundoll and Co, Geraldine Will sell housohold furniture and effects on Friday. Charles Neville—Will not be .responsible for debts lontractod without his written order. Book Debts.—Tenders cloie at noon to-day with the Deputy Assignee, Timaru, for the uncollected book debts m the estate of Julius Siegert. Job Brown and Joseph Aihwell, Liquidators—lnvite tenders for the purchase of the land, buildings, machinery, etc., of the Temuka Linseed Factoryj tenders close on Monday next.

Velvin and Taylor, General Storekeepers, Temuka—Publish sash price of a number of leading lines during November, and intimate that shearing requisites, and other articles of their stock not mentioned in the advertisement will be sold at proportionately low prices.