LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1665, 26 November 1887, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Sale OF CLYDKSDALas.—IVToaara J. Mundell and Co sell «ome valuable Clydesdale horses (bred by Mr B. Mattlnws, Temuka) at Graeie, Maclean, and Adams' yards, Timaru, to-day. Splendid Growth.—-Mr J. J. Ellis, gardener, of Orari, showed us yesterday a splendid sample of rhubarb. The stem from the butt to the leaf was two feet lone:, a °d it was splendidly grown in every respect.

Mail Robbert.—The mail bag from Te Kopuru to Auckland was opened on Thursday and a letter containing £56 io notes stolen. The bug was on the steamer and railway train, but there is no clue as to where the robbery was committed.

WIifOHBSTBB School.—Tonders cloie on Monday with the Architect to the South Caaterbury Board of Education, Mr D. Weet, Timaru, for the erection of a school at Win-. Chester. Flans and specifications are to bo seen at Mr J. Ashwell'a office, Temuka, and the Architect*! office, Timaru. Private Schools.—A return presented to the House on Wednesdny shows that there were in December last 288 private schools in the colony, which were attended by 12,497 children. Of these schools ]2B hitd less than 'lO pupils, but 72 had over 50 pupils, 20 between 40 and 50 pupils, 27 between 30 and 40, and 41 between 20 and 30. Of the total number 8263 children attended Roman Catholic schools with over 50 scholars in each.

R.M. Cot/rt, Timaru. —At the Resident Magistrate's Court, Timaru, yesterday, John Croabirt, charged with lunacy, was remanded for seven days. Samuel McSweeney, charged with stealiog an overcoat, the property of W. Paul, from Murphy's Hotel, Pleasant Point, during the progress of a ball, pleaded guilty, and nothing being known ngaiost him, was let off with fourtsen days.

Ashburton Racks.—At the Ashburton Races on Thursday, Mr J. Warner'-* Wrangler won the County Hurdle Race of 25 sovs ; Mr Rutherford's Ravenseraig "»n the K«ci"g Club Handicap of 55 sovs, W !V, Vl " "•"•rs Hobbs's .1 tck second *Mr O. Digby's Marengo i. . , w , ' Mr W. Derby " m , V ™ l^ r Handicap of 40 aova; Mr Max J _ riea_

lander's Goldfinch the Novel Race of 25 sovs, with Mr 0. Miles's Sarvdust second ; Mr W. 0.. Rutherford's Tornado, the Flying Hundicap of 30 sovs, with Messrs Hobhfl's College Boy second. The totalisator dividenda ranged from £2 14i to £G 19*.

Concert at Tejcuka.—A concert in aid of the prize fund of the Terauka District High School will take place on Friday evening next. A first rate programme is in preparation; and will be issued in a few days. Gbbaldinb Riflbs.—An inspection parade of this corps took place in the drillshed on Thursday evening; last. Major Newall was the inspecting officer, and there were present Major Moore, Captain Pearpoint, and Lieuts. Ward and McKenzie. Staff-Sergt.-Mujor Jones was also present* The corps having been inspected were put through a number of company and battalion movements, after which they were dismissed. Thb Next Pkobablk Qovernob.—A London correspondent writss :—Sir John Gorst will sail-for New Zealand early in November. He has been ordered a long sea voyage by his medical men, and will in consequence patronise the Cape route. Lord Salisbury would, it is well-known, like to shelve Sir John if possible, and that worthy himself is understood to be quite willing to accept a colonial viceroyalty. How would you like him at Government House, Wellington ?

Tonoan News. —The Nonieoticher Lloyd's I.G.M.S. Lubeck, from Tonga and Samoa, arrived at Sydney on Thursday. Island advices report that all is quiet, and matters are restored to their former order at ToDga. The German squadron is still at Apia, where an American corvette is also lying looking after American interests. A large number of Malietoa's followers have sworn allegiance to Tamesese. The American consul continues to protest against the action of the German authorities in the Islands. Tkrribt-b Effects of Lightning.— Some curious and terrible effects of lightning are reported from Mende, in France. During a thunderstorm in that locality the room of Madame Gaillard was suddenly illuminated with the flashes of fire. The woman and her three children, frightened out of their wits, ran for safety to the chimney corner, whea a single sharp clap of thunder was heard over the house, and the chimney was struck by lightning. The mother and the three children were knocked down insensible. One of them a boy of four, was killed instantaneously, and a little girl was whirled into the centre of the room and had her eyes completely burned out. Age of Animals.—-The elephant is believed by the East Indians to live three hundred years, and instances are on record of elephants having been kept in captivity as long as one hundred and twenty years, their age being unknown when taken from the forest. Camels live forty or fifty years. Some birds attain great age, such as the swan and the eagle, which have been known to live one hundred years. Parrots hare been known to live eighty years. A tortoise lived one hundred and twenty years. It is said that in 1497 an enormous pike was caught in a lake near Hulbronn, Switzerland, with a brass ring tied to it, recording that it was put in the lake in 1230. There are indictaions that the whale lives four hundred years.

Temuka-Oifoed RailttTat Bbid&b.—ln the House on Wednesd»y, Mr Rhodes asked the Minister for Publio Works whether, seeing the improbability of the Temuka-Oxford railway being ever constructed, and that the bridge built over the Temuka river on that line is not only, therefore, useless but injurious, as impeding the free course of the river, Government are willing to hand over the bridge to the Geraldine County Council for the purpose of removal and its probable use in erecting a bridge or bridges elsewhere. Mr Mitchelson said the bridge wai nob now required for the purpose for which it was originally intended ; therefore the Government had no objection to handing it over to the local bodies, providing it cannot be made use of in its present position. If such was the case, and the local bodies would make the necessary application, the Government would give effect to it.

Opening op thb Ckioebt Sbasow iw Gkealdihk. —The cricket season was opened in Geraldine on Thursday last by the Club playing a scratch match in the Park. Shortly after one o'olock rain began to fall very heavily, and it was feared that the afternoon was going to be thoroughly wet. About two o'clook, howerer, it cleared up, and continued | fine for the greater part of the afternoon. Quite a large number of persons were attracted on the ground during the afternoon, ! a large proportion of them being ladies. The 1 Geraldine Brags Sand were alio on the ground, and helped to make things pleasant. Sides were chosen from those present by the Captain (Major W. M. Moore) and ViceCaptain (Mr fl. W. Moore) respectively. A | very enjoyable game was played, the team being all disposed of for 83 runs. The second team then went in, but rain coming on again they did not finish their ianings. With fine weather cricket promises to flourish again aB formerly. Volunteer Babuar at Geraldine.—On Wednesday and Thursday next the Volunteer Bazaar, which has been bo much talked off in Geraldine for the p»Bt few months, will take place in the Dri'lshnd, and wo have no doubt but tint it will prove a huge success. A Hptendid collection of useful and fancy articles have been secured for the various stall*, and as additional attractions visitors will have the pleasure of witnessing some well-played farces, herring some first-rate songs and glee*, seeing some life-like wax figures, trying their bands as marksmen, etc., etc. The Brass Band will discourse mu-ic at intervals, and refreshments will be plentiful and tempt ng. In fact, the bazaar will comprise a combination of attractions never before seen in Geraldine, and should be largely attended. LieutenantColonel Biiley will formally open it at 2 o'clock on 'Wednesday afternoon. The stallholders respectfully request contributors to send in their goods not later than Monday next,

Wipe Desertion.—An incident of an extraordinary character has just come under the notice of tho Cli*ahire magistrates. At Stockport a summons has been taken oat against a man, named Johnson, for deserting his wife 27 years back. The wife entered the box and stated that she married the defendant 30 years back. For some unexplained cause he deserted her immediatlely after thair child, a girl, was born, and for 27 years ho had left her to maintain herself. She could glean no tidings about him, and she had, indeed, long since given him up for dead. Whan attending the funeral of a relative at Marple, Cheshire, the other day, sho heard that her long-lost, husband was living at Stockport with another woman, by whom he had several children. She made enquiries and found that w »s **■"•. and at once procured a summoofl for l '*.'. In Court Johnson was maintenance. «.* wp op ve ars of introduced to his daugii.* 1 "* ' ~ i'ge, whom lie had never seen since

was an infant. fj e admitted the offence, xnd the magistrates ordered him t> pay 10s weekly towards his wife'a mHintenauce.

Declined Matter.—We have received I a communication Higucd " S-irab," and ' entitled " A Lost Lover." In the first plane it appears to have been addressed to ' another paper and declined, which of course is no recommendation to it. Next we cannot understand what it is about, unless its aim is to ridicule some unhappy fair one who hus been forsaken by her lover. In our opinion it is bad enough for the young ludy to have been betrayed nnd deserted by her faithless lover wi'hont exposing her sorrows to the public gaze. Wa must decline to do so. Strange Prbaks of ak Elephant.— About two o'clock one morning recently a large elephant belonging the Olympic Circus, which is travelling the oouhtry, broke out of the stables at Rugby and burst open the door of a small oottoge adjoining. Making his way in, he unfastened the cupboard and ate a dozen pots of jam, a gallon of pieklsd onions, a quantity of damsons, a joint of meat, a loaf, a pound of butter, and a quantity of swee<». Having demolished .eyerjthing in the shape of provisions, he ate up tbo window-plants. He then examined soma small ornaments on the ohimnoj.piece, laid tlie-n carefully on the sofa, nndenjuycd himself for nearly two hours before he was got out. Midland Railway.—The following is the Midland itailway Committee's report: —That, in the opinion of the Committee, a new contract should be prepared, embodying the several provisions of the Acts of 1884 and 1886, and the further contract amending ths contract of 1885, and tb»t an Act should bo passed empowering the Governor to execute such new contract. Such new contract: should, a* far as practicable, contain provisions in thi» same words as are used in the said Acts and oontracts, and where any deviation is necessary in order to render the new contract consistent throughout, the alterations required should be to the same purport and effect as the draft contract hereunto amsnded. The contract appended to the report occupies five closely printed pages.

Simple Method of Artificial Respiration.—ln lhe British Medioul Journal, Mr J. A. Francis describsa a simnle method of artificial respiration which, healleges, combine* nil (he advantages of the Marsh til, Hall, Sylvester, and Howard methods, without any of their disadvantages. The plan U its follows :—The body of the patient is laid on the back, with clothes loosened, and the mouth and nose wiped. Two bystanders pafs r.heir right hands under the body at the level of the waist, and grasp each other's hands, then raise the body till the tip of the fingers and toes of the subject alone touch the ground, count fifteen rapidly ; then lower the body flat to ground, count fifteen again; then raise the body again for the same length of time ; and so or, alternately raiting and lowering. The head, arms, and legs are to be allowed to dangle down quite fraely when the body is raised. The author alleges that this method is most succeisful, and it in 10 simplo that anyono c*n perform it without any teiohing. —The common practice of j raising fainting persono to an upright position is oftea sufficient to destroy the spark of life which remains. Ifc is more reasonable and sound to keep such persons in the pron 9 position while restoratives and loe>il moans be adopted to enable them if possible to regain consciouanesi. Roman Catholic Claims.—-Tho Wellington correspondent of the Otigo Diily Times says :—From a return laid on the table of the House on Thursday afternoon it transpired that the petitions presented by Roimn Catholics up to Wednesday bear 15,987 aiguaturee. A monster peiitinn, signed by a large number of Protest'ints in the ci'y of Auckland, protesting against any concessions to the Catholics re education, is on i's way to Wellington. On mentioning trie matter to the Minidter of Education on Thursday afternoon, that gsutleman gave me to understand that the Ministry as a Ministry would not assist Mr Pyke to carry his Roman Catholic Schools Bill through the Hous?. Speaking for himself, he stated that much as he admired the steadfastness of tha Catholic body in ndvocating dooominationnlistn, he was bound to give an un'JotnproHi : sing opposition. He also informed me that the suggestion made from tha educationd authorities in Otngo relative to proposed retrenchment met 'vith hia hearty approval. He expressed his opinion that the sum of £IO,OOO could be snved in Otago w'thoni impairing in the slightest degree tha efficiency of the system.

Habd .on THOMPBOW. The Weekly Herald, a Wellington paper, thus refers to Mr Thompson, who provoked the recent trouble in Parliament j—The member for Marsien would never have been known to the public, to society, nor to Parlhmanr, hud he not brought himself out in ihia mannar. It was too good an opportunity fjr a " pleh.'* to show up in the arena with unconstitutional uniform on. Still he is not so much to blame ni the Speaker, whum we always admired as a painstaking ehdrmun, but in this case he missed it, and by his excessive unconstitutional ruling on Tuesday night last, he proved to the world that he was far beneath the style, dignity, and bearing of Sir Julius, evicted ai ho is with " natural infirmity," which, of course, u always productive of momentary, irritability. The attack on Sir Julius by the Marsden " lump of white sand " was most uncalled for, as everyone, except a born idiot— liko the Marsden man—knew that Sir Julius paid for thess tervan's out of his own pocket from the moment his Government went out of office. The Margden fiend thought no doubt that he was serving a grand purpose in showing up Sir Julius because his Government was out of offlbe and request. We would, we oould, stifle out of remote bronee every yestig* of thought oennected with the late blaokguardly and disgraceful acts perpetrated in the House of Bepresentatives of New Zealand.

Gbb&ldinb County Council.—Thf? statutory annuil meeting of the Geraidine County Council was hell oo Wednesday. Present— Messrs W. Balfour, R. A. Barker, J. T. M. Hay hurst, and W. M. Moore. Apolqgies were read from Messrs B. IVfackay and W. B Howell, J?rapcned by Mr Barker, seconded by Mr Moaro, and carried—'* That Mr W. Btlfour be elected chairman." Mr W. B. Howell was elected treasurer. Messrs W. B.ilf>u-, R. A. Barker, J. T. M. Hayhurgt, and W. M. Moor« were elected to represent the Council on the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and Messrs W. Balfour and W. B. Howell were elected to represent th« Ojincilon the Timaru Hi<;h School Board. It wits decided to hold the montb|y meetings on the s'pond Wednesday |R esoh naonfck Prop ised by Mr Moore, jecoqded by Mr Barker, and carried unanimously—" That a hearty rote of thanks be accorded to Mr John Talbot for the services he has rendered to the Council during bis term of office, and that this Council record thoir appreciation of the energy and ability he has always shown, and the sound uud practical advice he has \avariably given to the Oounoil on any matters that has c..>me before them; and further, that they regret that his services are no longer available to the Oounoil at a time when his special knowledge of water supply would have been so valuable." The Clerk was directed to to the Chief Postmniler (hit tbfl n° objection to ali.ering the name of the pualoffice " Oanavan'a " to that of "Ortoii." The meetinj then terminated.

Temuka. Distbict High School.—The annual standard examination of the Te* muka District High School, by the South Canterbury Education Board's Inspector, Mr Gow, commenced on Tuesday last and concluded yesterday. Expoets. —Mr James Winning, of Temuka, haß determined to test the practicability of exporting butter to the Home market, Yeßterday he despatched 22 casks, containing about a ton weight of butter, for Scotland, and if the experiment proves successful, he will probably go in largely for exporting butter. The result of the experiment will be looked forward to with great interest. SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENT. Temuka Rifles—Notice re additional parade. Concert at Temuka Ou Friday evening next..

N.Z. Railways—Notice re excursion fares to "Dunodin. • Geraldine Volunteer Bazaar—Will be held on Wednesday and Thursday next j notice to contributors.

Sir Andrew Le Fleming—Will give an exhibition of borse taming and training in Mr Winning's grain store, Temuka, this ereninjr, the admission being one shilling. T. Powoll, Temuka—Notifies that he is selling firewood and coals at very low prices, and gives quotations ; runs expresses daily between Temuka, Winchester, and Geraldine.

W. A. Sherratt and Co.—Hare started in Geraldine as Coal and Timber Merchants, and have for sale all kinds of building and fencing materials, Newcastle and Westport coah, firewood, etc.