LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1675, 20 December 1887, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ohebsb. —According to the Malaura Ensign the I9cwt of Gore cheese sent home—part of which sold at 53s and part at 63s —gives a net return, after deducting all charges both in and beyond New Zealand, of 5d per lb

The Caliyobni an Thistle.—The Ashburton Guardian records that a pat oil of Californian thistles were found near that township on Saturday, when prompt steps were taken for their eradication. The pest seams to be widely spread. Excursion Train— On Boxing-Diy an excursion train will run from Timaru to Christchurch, calling at intermediate stations. The fares will be 7s 6d first class and 5s second. Doubtless this opportunity will be largely taken advantage of by those who wish to visit Christchurch, bub are unable to spare the time for a long stay. Missing.— Detective Kirby, of Timaru, was busily engaged in the Geraldine district yeste r day making enquiries with regard to a Mrs Kent, who disappeared from Timaru in May last. It appears that she drew the sum of £SO from one of the banks and suddenly disappeared, and has not since been heard of, hence the detective’s enquiries. The Catholic Times.—lo noticing the prospectus of this papar in our last issue we stated that the annual subscription was 25s if paid in advance. This was an error, the subscription being 21s if paid in advmce and 25a if booked. There are also terms for quarterly and half-yearly subscriptions. Precocious Youth. —In Wellington a boy of fourteen has passed the solicitor’s gener.il knowledge examination. As ho is now hard at work at the study of law, it is possible he may be able to pass his final examination in in another couple of years, and though he could not, of course, be admitted till ho is of the mature age of 21, yet he might rank as a fall blown solicitor before the ago of 17.

Small Birds Eggs. The boys are waging deadly war in this district against the feathered pests During Saturday and yesterday the Clerk to the Temuka Road Board, Mr Q., Dyson, received on behalf of that body, about 500 dozon eggs of small birds. This is a large number considering that the school holidays have not yet commenced.

Boxing-Day Sports at Temuka.—ln our advertising columns will be found the handicaps for these Sports. The number of entries is very lege and testifies to the growing popularity of the sports held annually under the auspices of the Loyal Alexandrovna Lodge, 1.0.0. F. The acceptances must be in on Thursday next before 6 p.ra.

Timaeu Flower and Fruit Show.—At this Show on Friday last Mr George Smith (at Mr E, Brown’s), of Temuka, curried off the first prizes for strawberries in the gardeners’ and amateurs’ classes. The exhibits were grand ones, and showed the great care and attention Mr Smith has bestowed on the culture of this luscious fruit, of which he has a large quantity for sale this season.

The Railways. —The Canterbury Press records the fact that one day lately the train on the Byreton Railway brought in one passenger, whose faro was the exact sum of Is. For this passenger, an engine, two carriages and a guard van, with driver, stoker, guard, permanent way hands, and station officials were in attendance. That is nothing. We remember the time when tho evening train ran to Ashburton, with only one passenger, and that passenger a “dead head.” What’s in a Name.— The “battle of words ” is still raging in New South Wales. The Sydney Morning Herald has received, amongst other suggestions, the following names as bring more appropriate for that colony than Sir Henry Parkes’ absurd “fadism” of Australia ; Yorkland, Corklancl, Eastrolia, Eastland, Austral, Britannia, Englandia, Aurelia, Cambria, Neohmbria, Austrtmbia, Antipodia, Budgeria, Oriencia, Oentenaria, Austoria, “ Asatralia,” Virginia, Oralia, Wiseland (Suggested by W for Welsh, I for Irish, 8 for Scotch and B for English), Australind, South Britain. Rabbit “ Exterminator.”— Reporting on a public trial of Stenhouse and Smith’s rabbit exterminator held at Dungroe station, Awatere, Inspector Blundell says ; --“I look upon the trial as being an entire success as far as it went, and I believe that the machine can be used to advantage on level country where rabbits burrow and the natural enemies have not been turned out. It is well known that a very small percentage of the rabbits live in burrows, and as it is only these that it can destroy, the machine cannot lay claim to be g, rabbit exterminator, and I do not for a moment expect that sheep farmers will adopt so suicidal a policy as to use them when they are going to a heavy expenditure in introducing and breeding the natqral enenqies,”

The Bankedptoh an article on the Bankruptcy Acta the Wellington Press says:—But let a regular, thorough-paced, well-trained, whole-souled, neok-or-nothing fradulent bankrupt come before the court, with a gang of accomplices in a good social position at his back, a lawyer of high standing to do bis business for him, and a fat estate to come and go upon ; and then see how deterren t the ppnul clauses of the Bankruptcy Apt are. The proceedings from beginning tq end are an unmitigated farce.' The bankrupt lounges into court occasionally, when ho happens to have nothing else to do, just, to see how hijj little affair i&settifig on’; tl(e judge twits hfijq like a distinguished visitor tq his establishment and enlivens the dulncst of the duy’s work by mild pleasantries at. his expense—always inking care, of course, not to hurt lus fee ings —or at Ihe espouse of the ereilitors, U» the turn of His Honor’s humour miy le.

ACCIDENTS. —A serious accident-, happened to a son of Mr Patrick’s, of Kakahu, on Sunday last. It seems that the little fellow, who is about four years of ago, was out on the road, whan a number of horses oime galloping down and ran over him, hurling him severely. He was taken home, where his injuries were attended to, and ho is now doing well, —Dr Hayes, of Terauka, was thrown from his gig one day last week, owing to the horse he was driving proving restive, and was rather severely hurt, one of the wheels grazing his head. The doctor, however, has managed to attend to his practice.— Messrs Thomas Gunnion and Daniel Mclnnaos met with a series of accidents last Sunday. In order to attend the Salvation Array meeting in Timaru they got a buggy from Mr Story's stables, and put Mr Mclnness* horse in it. On the way in the breeching broke, and the horse began to kick and broke the shafts of the buggy. They managed, somehow, to got to Timaru, and m order to get. back home they borrowed a pair of shafts from Mr Lukey, which they put in the pl&oe of the broken ones. All went well until they reached the Maori pah. There the horse took fright at something, turned into a fence, flung out the occupants of tha buggy, and broke the second pair of shafts. They, however, escaped unhurt, but the damage done will be father expensive.

The Midland Railway.—The work on the Midland railway is now very slack. Brown’s contract is not far from completion, O’Oonnor and Price’s is completed, and the man are now merely engaged on extras. All the other earthwork contracts have done and the men ore gone. Thera is not the slightest word of any now contracts being lei, and U. is understood tha Company will make considerable reductions in their staff soon. A Wellington correspondent of the Press telegraphed on Saturday;—“There is a slight hitch in connection with the Midland Railway contract. Toe point not as yet settled between the Government and the Midland Company is as regards running on unfinished sections of the line which the Company havto make. They say it would bo ruinous to maintain separa'e staffs on each of these sections, and they want the Government to run them as extensions of the Government lines. The question at issue is as to terms, and it is really a mere detail. The Company are satisfied with the contract generally, and tho security it gives is suffioient to enable them to complete their financial arrangements.” Tejiuka Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary.—On Sunday tho anniversary services in connection with the lomuka Wesleyan Sunday School were conducted by tho Rev. W. B. Marten, of Timaru. The whole of the services were well attended. In the morning the rev. gentleman took for his t»xt Deuteronomy vi., 7, preaching an e’oquent sermon thereon. He pointed out in forcible terms to parents and teachers the responsibility that rested upon them, of seeing to the good training of the young, and of setting a good example, pointing out the necessity of their being on the rU’ht side themselves before they attempted to lead others. In the sfternoon, Mr Martin gave an instructiv e address to the children from Isaiah xlv., 11, which was listened to with great attention. After tho address the annual distribution of prizes took place, every child receiving something, In the evening the rev. gentleman took for his text St. Matthew xviii., 14, preaching an excellent sermon thereon. Mrs Harrison presided at the harmonium, and the hymns, which, wore specially selected for the occasion, were moely rendered. Balmy sleep, good digestion, rich blood, elastic step, and cheerfulness, in Dr Soule's American Co.'s Hop Bitters. Read and believe advt.

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 the Bail way .Refreshment Rooms for 6d. Luncheon as usual. A waitress in attendance for ladies. The Shilling Lunches still continue at the Club Hotel. I). McGuinness, Proprietor.—Advt.

Baxter's Lung Preserver hao gained great popularity in this disi riot as a speedy and effectual remedy m the treatment ot Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis, and other chest and throat complaints. Bead adrt. and try it. Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis, &0., are quickly cured by using B axter’s “ Lung Preserver.’’ This old-established and favorite medicine is pleasant to the palate, and highly ex'oiled by members of the modioil, legal, and clerical professions. For testimonials see advt. Sold by all patent medicine vendors.

SYNOPSIS OF AD YBRTLS IS ME Xl.l. N.Z. Railways Cheap excursion to Chris! church on Boxing Day.

Mount Peel Road Board lor cocksfoot grass seed growing in reserves. F. Archer, Secretary Boxing-Day Sports Publishes handicaps for Boxing-Day sport* t Temuba.

Geraldine County Council—Notice re intention to raise a loan of £SOO for irrigation works at Woodbury.

T. G. Rowley, Dentist, Timaru—Notifies that he has -just received from London tools and appliances for complete mechanic d dentistry, andJw prepared to execute every branch.

N. Dunlop and Co., Manchester House, Geraldine—Wish their numerous customers and the public “ A Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous Ne» Year,” and notify that they have just opened up 6 cases of novelties, and a largo quantity of toys, etc.

R. H. Pearpoint, Geraldine—Has opened a splendid assortment of goods suitable for the Christmas season, which he is offering at very low prices, and notifies that besides ordinary discount he is now making purchasers of goods from £2 upwards a present equal to 2s in the £; gives a few quotations of lines on offer.

ST. JOSEPH’S SCHOOL CONGER!'. The concert hold annually in connection with St. Joseph's Catholic School, Terauka, was this year an unqualified success. Long before the doers of the Volunteer Hall were opened a largo and eager crowd gathered, and there was a great rush as soon as admission could be gained. The hall was soon full to overflowing, the attendance being perhaps the largest ever seen there. The decorations which had been carried out by Mr J. Bari were tasteful and artistic, i and the arrangements throughout ware excellent. The following programme was gone through : Prologue, Miss Lucy Quinn; overture, “Jessie’s Dream,’’ Miss Quinn 5 chorus, “ The Wishing Cap," the girls ; dialogue, “ Faith, Hope, and Charity," Misses Murphy, Gaffaney, and Wareing; vocal solo, “Quid Ireland,” Miss L. Quinn ; recitation, “ Guilty or Nat Guilty,” Miss A. Wareing ; chorus, “ Advance New Zealand,” the boys; vocal duet, “Thy Voice,” MissesDerauth and Connolly ; piano solo, “Sweet Home,’’ Miss 0. Gaffaney ; dialogue, “The .’oming Men,” Masters H. Louis, i. Connolly, J. Gaffaney, J. Clark, Horignn, Quinn, Demuth, Burke, Lavery, M. Connolly, D. Connolly, Polaschek, and D. Clarke; chorus, “Pretty Kit,” junior singing class; piano duet, 11 Osbourn Quadrilles,” Misses M. and L. Quinn; recitation, “A Mother’s Love,” Mias Fitzgerald ; song (comic), “Pat of Mullingar,” Master Louis ; drama, “ Adele’s Trial ” —characters : Queen Inez, Miss Wareing; Princess Adele, Miss C. Gaffaney ; Countess Zehne, Miss M. Quinn ; Lord Eric, Master J. Connolly ; Lucy, Miss E. Barrett; Susan, Miss L. Quinn; maids of honor to the Queen, Misses Lavery, Broanahan, Burke, Jackson, McAuliffe, and Horigan; maids of honor to the Princess, Misses M. Broanahan, K. Daley, K. Barrett, M. Clarke, W. Melvin, and W. Carr ; Queen’s pages, Masters J. Popple well and W. Polaschek; spirits, Misses B, Connolly, M. Melvin, J. Williams, M. Wareing, M. Davis, aod M. Spillane; overture, “The Sleigh Race,” Miss Quinn; chorus, “Tbeßingmy Mother Wore,” the girls; dialogue, “ Lazy Sheep,” Masters Polaschek and Scannell; vocal solo, “Killamey,” Miss Connolly; dialogue, “ The Contest of the Flowers,” Misses Wareing, Quinn, Murphy, Fitzgerald, Clarke, A. Wareing, Gaffaney, Popplowell. L. Quinn, and Lavery ; recitation, “ Boys’ Rights,” Master Lavery; vocal duet, “The Holiday Duet,” Misses M. Quinn and C. Gaffaney; dialogue, “Topsy," Missaa Fitzgerald and M. Clarke; chorus, “I’m Going to Write to Papa,” junior singing class; dialogue, “Atdy’s Blunders,” Miss F. Burke, and Masters J. Clarke and E. Lavery: piano trio, “Retreat March,” Misses Jackson, C. Gaffaney, and Fitzgerald ; drama, “Whittington and his Oat”—characters; Richard Whittington, Master H, Louis ; Mr Fitzwarren, .Master T. Dunne ; captain, Master J. Connolly ; Thomas, Master W, Jackson ; sailor, Master 0. Connolly : countryman, Master J. 0 arke ; Alice, Miss A. Wareing ; cook, Miss Lavery; Dame Homely, Miss L. Quinn ; fairies, Misses C. Fopplewell, B. Connolly, M. Clarke, A. Fitzgerald, L. Fopplewell, M. Melvin, J. Burke, and M. Horigan ; song (comic), “Oammomile Tea,’* Mias Fitzgerbald ; vocal duet (in character), “ Hunting • tower,” Master J. Connolly and Miss B. Connolly; chorus, “Massa’sin the Cold Ground,” the boys ; dialogue, “ Wanted a General Servant,” Misses Connolly, Demuth, Brosnahan, Connell, Woulfo, and L vary ; chorus, “All Among the Barley,” the girls; epilogue, Miss A. Wareing; national anthem. The entertainment opened immediately after 8 p.m., and was not over until 20 minutes to 12. Yet, notwithstanding its extraordinary length, and the fact that the house was crowded to excess, so pleased were the audience with the excellent way in which the various actors acquitted themselves that they sat ; t out to the end without evincing any signs of weariness. The last it -.ms were applauded and encored as enthusiastically as the first. It would be impossibls to individualise every item on the programme! in the space at our disposal. Without exception, the children, considering the’r ages, -acqu'tted themselves with remarkable cleverness, and did full justice to the admirable training which they received. In every item there was evidence of the most careful training, —the actions, tho movements, and the general behaviour of the children from the youngest to the oldest being so systematic as to leavo no doubt concerning the amount of patience and p;rsevopance which thoir self-sacrificing teachers bestowed upon theiy education. The pro. gramme will show that it contained many musical selections, which wore played well. Amongst these we may mention a piano trio, “Retreat March,” specially arranged by Miss YanNcck, aod played with good eftect by throe of her own pupils. The overtures were played by Miss Quinn admirably, and she also accompanied some of the songs, the others being efficiently accompanied by Mias Gaffaney. The singing was very good, and in the choruses tho voices of the children blended beautifully. In the solos Master H. Louis was really excellent in hie rendering of “ Pat of Mullingar ” (encored), and Miss L. Quinn sang “Ould Ireland,” Miss Connolly “ Killamey," and Mias Fiizgerald “ Oammomile Tea ” (encored), in a manner that won great applause. The duet by Misses Connolly and Demuth, “Thy Voice,”tho “Holiday Dgii” by Misses M. Quinn and 0. Gaffaniy, and “ Huntingtower ’ by Miss B. and Muster J. Connolly, were capitally rendered, especially the latter. The chorus “ I’m Going to Write to Papa” deserves special mention on account of the excellence of Miss B, Connolly s rendering of the solo part of it. It was one of the best of the evening. But though (he singing was very good there can be no doubt but that the recitations, dialogues, and dramas were tho best parts of the entertainment. The chi'dren all spoke their parts in a remarkably clear and teßing manner, their elocution and qrtioulatJ'on being faultless, while , the grace and ease wuh which they moved about on the stage and acted thoir parts would do credit to the host a.mateur actors. Masters Scannell and Polaschek —two bright liijtle, boys apparently about six years, rif age each—received a great oviitjau for the manly way in which they played ihoir part. in tho drama of “ Adele’s Trial ” Miss Lucy Quinn deserves special mention for her ready clove; noting. Miss Warning, as Quceq Inez, j deported herself with mqoh dignity, and | spoke and ha? part well, us also did I Idiss Q. Gaffaney as the Princess, Miss '

M. Quinn, Master Connolly, and Miss E. Barrett also did well. Too much praise > cannot be given to Master H. Louis for the way in which he acted Dick Whittington, and Mies Kate La very acted the part cf the cook cleverly, while Mies A, Wareing filled the part of Alice with much credit. All the parts ware satisfactorily filled. “ Wanted a General Servant*’ was another piece, and was rendered splendidly by Misses Connolly, Demath, Brosnaban, Connell, Woulfe, and Lsvery, The last item on the programme was an epilogue, which was spoken with groat ability by Miss A. Wareing, and the whole performance came to a close by all joining in singing the national anthem. The Sisters of St. Joseph may well feel proud of the way their children behaved, while the great interest which the general public taka in these entertainments must indeed bo regarded as a flattering recogniiion of the excellence of the tuition they give to those placed under their charge.