LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1687, 17 January 1888, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Public Meeting at Woodbury,—Tomorrow evening a public meeting of the ratepayers of the Woodbury Water-supply District will be held in the Woodbury achoolhouse to discuss the proposal of the Geraldine County Council to borrow £SOO to carry out irrigation works within the district. It is to be hoped the meeting will be well attended.

Accident in Tiharu, A horse, attached to a trap containing four children named Parr, bolted from the yard of its owner, Mr Win. Parr, near the WindmiN, Timaru, yesterday rooming, and when turning a corner the vehicle was capsized. The children escaped almost unhurt, but (he shafts of the trap «ero broken and it was Otherwise damaged.

Okiokbt. —A telegram from Sydney says : " Lillywhite proposes to take bis team of cricketers to New Zealand, and will play two or three matches against combined teams of New Zealand, if possible. From Now Zealand his team will sail direct for England.” . Maintenance.— At the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Timaru, yesterday, the case of Henderson v. Henderson, wherein the defendant was charged with failing to provide for his wife’s support, which had been adjourned for three months, was further adjourned until to-morrow, when it will come before the Court at Temaka. Mr J. Jackson was on the Bench. Running Ahuok. A Chinaman ran amuck on the 2nd January in Gillum's Eating-House, Sydney, where he had gone for breakfast. The proprietor, finding he had no money to pay for his breakfast, set : him to work it out by pealing potatoes. The Celestial, however, did not approve of this method of settling the reckoning, and as soon as he got a knife he went for the cpok, stabbing him in the head and arm. Another man who came to his rescue was also stabbed, and the proprietor fared even worse, receiving several outs. Finally, the irate Celestial was secured by a policeman and taken to the look-up. The wounds of the cook and the other employee were somewhat serious, and both men had to be treated at the hospital. A Tragedy in Court, —A sanguinary scene was enacted on the 10th of November, in the Palace of Justice, at Marseilles, during the hearing of a divorce case. The question before the Judge was who should have charge of the two young children of : M. and'Mine. Qenoud, the parties to the suit, when the father of the latter addressed some bitter reproaches to her husband, who, drawing a revolver from his pocket, fired it at. bin wife, who fell wounded on the loot. He .then di--charged three chambers tt-his father-ip-, ; lf w without taking effect, Oe was de-r prived of the weapon; -but producing a second shot- himself through th* heart, exclaiming that ho would like to have killed his wife’s father. Mme. Genoud is in a fair way of recovery.

Remarkable Pigeon Boost. Near, Macon, Miss., is a remarkable' pigeon roost. 1 It embraces an area of f6rty acres, in a ' valley Surrounded by precipitous hills. A creek runs threugh it, or rather spreads over it, covering most of the surface with water from one to five feet; deep. There is all over it a thick growth of cane, vines, bushes, and saplings, which, with the quicksands, dirt, arid water, constitute it an absolutely impenetrable morass. It is a wonderful instinct that prompted the birds to select - this, the most secure and safest of all places in the whole region for their lodging-house. Betweeri sunset and dark pigeons come in from all quarters ip immense numbers, darkening the heavens, and producing a roaring noise that can be beard two or three miles.

Gastronomic Feats. —The feat of eating a “ dinner for five,” which Prince Griedaye hag just successfully accomplished in Paris, may seem a more formidable exploit than that of eating two little birds a day for a few weeks. Yet, as a matter of fact, fifty persons would in all probability be capable of achieving it for one likely to rival the gastronomic prowess of the “champion-quail eater of - America,” G. 0. Mars by name, who has just undertaken to eat a hundred quails in fifty consecutive days. He is:said to have eaten eighty quails in forty days last year without the slightest feeling of nausea, and his digestive powers will, his numerous backers feel confident, prove equal to the severer trial which he has now imposed on them. His diet during the first seven weeks is to consist of a quail for breakfast with a glass of sherry, two dozen of oysters for dinner with a'bottle of Bass, and a quail for supper with fried potatoes and a oup of coffee. If be succeeds be will not only have conclusively established his claim to the proud title wbich ho has assumed, bub will farther receive the eum of £IOO from a syndicate which ie backing him at iong odds to encourage genuine sport! The Rabbits Religious Aspect.— The Government of New South Wales having offered a reward of £20,000 for the most effectual plan of,destroying rabbits, has received no leas than 388 methods The Presbyterian has its say on the subject. It starts with the assumption that the Creator’s original distribution of the animals was the best, and proceeds“ Man shows his unwisdom when he begins to tinker with this arrangement, and presumes to supply what he calls its defects. Had he introduced the rabbit as a domestic animal, keeping it under control in virtue of that right which he exercises over all the creatures, he would have, enjoyed his private benefit and no harm would have been done* But in this case he stepped beyond his proper sphere and let the rabbit loose, with the ostensible purpose of supplying an imagined deficiency in the Australian fauna, and mending the Creator’s work in the distribution of animals. The Divine Distributor makes no mistakes ; but man, in presuming to mend, has only succeeded iu marring and muddling to a degree that threatens widespread rain," There is unintentional humor in this. . It is really funny., If man made a mistake the sooner he sets it right the better.

The Fifeshiee at Timaett,— On Thursday afternoon, at the invitation of Captain Millar, master of the Fifesbire, about 150 gentlemen, representing the clergy, the various professions, and trade and commerce of South Canterbury, assembled in the saloon of that vessel and were entertained at a luncheon. The chair was occupied by Captain Millar, supported on his■ right,by the Mayo;’, Mr Moss Jonas, and jm his left by Captain Woollcomle.' After remarking his pleasure at seeing so many gentlemen present, and detailing the causes which led to the Fifeshire being in the harbor, Captain Millar said he was very well satisfied; with the arrangements made by the harbor authorities for the safety of his vessel, and to the good despatch they had got, which was quite equal to that be had got in any other port in the colony. This fact spoke for itself, that m 24 hours his ship had taken in and stowed away about 2000 bales of wool and' 8000 carcases of frozen mutton. This was certainly not at all bad fer a beginning for the pioneer steamer to do. la replying to the toast of his health, the same gentleman said He thought the coming of the Fifesbire would mark an era in the shipping history of Timaru. He had been in a great many breakwater harbors and had not seen a hotter one than at this port. Ho .thought the Harbor Board had expended their money well, and be had no doubt that in the near future he would see Timaru most prosperous as a shipping port. He also thanked the Board for the concessions they had made to the ship by returning the dues, and for showing generally that they were doing everything to encourage vessels to oall at the port. A number of toasts were honored, and speeches were made by Mr M. Jonas, Mr Acton (Ohafripan pf the Harbor Board), Mr Moore (one qf the owners of ttyo Fifeahiro), Hr Cunningham Smith* Captain Tioehiirat (Lloyd ? s Surveyor) and others, and a very pleasant time was spent,

Centennial Press Banquet. The proprietors of the Auckland Star have received, the following cablegram from the proprietor of the Evening News and Town Hi?d Country Journal { —“ We invite all Australasian journalists to the Centennial Press banquet on the 25fh January, in the Sydney Town Hall. Please extend the invitation to all New Zealand journalists. The Mayor of Sydney presides." Mr Brett wishes the New Zealand journalists accepting the invitation to communicate by telegraph with him. . ,

A Suggestion.— Remarking upon the fact that there are every year frequent complaints of the turnip crop, in consequence of the seed not germinating, the Bruce Standard advises farmers to follow the advice of Mr Hewitson, of Lovells Flat, who has hit upon the plan of sowing the sped by night. He has just done this now for the third year. The last two seasons he had magnificent crops, in striking contrast to his neigbors. Ho thinks the reason is that there is more moisture in the ground at night, and the seed gets a better chance of a start. Rangitata Traffic Bridge.—According to the Ashburton Guardian the Rangitata Traffic Bridge was the subject of a discussion at a meeting of the Ashburton County Council on Friday. The Engineer, in reply to questions, said tha t I he bridge was almcst solely used by stock and by carts conveying firewood from Peel Forest, and that altogether the traffic was not very extensive. Mr Coster desired to know whether it was desirable for the Council to go on paying large sums of money annually for the maintenance of this bridge, when it did not appear to be much used.

Candid. —Thedeiith of Captain Fitzgerald is reported from London, The deceased was Governor of Western Australia from 1848 to 1855, and his peculiar characteristics, says the Sydney Star,' are pretty well known to many old residents of this colony. Mr William Hogan, of Paddington, tells one very amusing incident of his gubernatorial life. It was Governor Fitzgerald’s habit to dress in rt slovenly manner. On one occasion he was more slovenly attired than usual, and during hia morning's constitutional he stood to watch a gang of convicts at work. He was struck with the extraordinarily slow and methodical stroke of one of a gang of men employed in breaking stones, and casually remarked to him, “ Young man, if you persevere you will have tht stone broken.’' “1 guess, old boy,” was the rejoinder, “ that this stone lasts me all day.” Ii is almost needless to say that the convict was not aware that he was talking to his lord and master. Narrow Esoafe.— Mr W. Ooltman, junr., had an exceedingly narrow escape on Friday week last. In company with Mr Brooker he started that day for the Mackenzie Country. Mr Brooker was in charge of a heavily-ioaded drapers’ van and pair of horses, the pr-party of Mr R. H, Pearpoint, with which it was, intended to make a lengthened trip in the Mackenzie Country. The diy was wet, and as a consequence some of the cuttings on the road were exceedingly slippery. White going dow n one of these, near the Raincliff Estate, one of the horses fell, and Mr Coltman, who was driving, was dragged out of his seat, and fell under the front wheel, his head being under the van and the wheel against his chest close to the shoulder. In this.position ho was dragged down the hill some ten or twelve yards before the horses could bo stopped. The wheel was. completely “chocked” by his body, while'the slippery nature of the clay facilitated his being pushed "down without the wheel mounting over him, Mr Brojkcr came to hia assistance as soon as he could and after a considerable amount of trouble succeeded in extricating Mr Cowman from his perilous position.' During the whole of the time Mr Coltiran’s bead was within a few inches of the horses’ heels, but fortunately they did not .kick. As it was the sufferer was very much bruised and shaken. A new macintosh, which he had >n at the time, was torn to shreds, and his other clothes were also’cut through by the severe scraping, Mr Ooltman was disabled for several days,, but is now able to follow his usual occupation, being little the worse for his exceedingly narrow escape.

Mans!/AtrctHTßß, At Ihe Supreme Court, Christchurch, on Saturday lust, Nila Jacobsen, charged with the murder of Mata Johansen at Little River on October 3rd, waa found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to penal servitude for life. The evidence showed that prisoner, deceased, and Andrew Newman, who had been drinking heavily during the day in question, were drinking at Lake Forsyth Hotoi in the evening, and began to quarrel. The landlord (Bruce) put Jacobsen out, and Newman and Johansen followed a few minatos later, 'Vhen outside, Newman saw Jacobsen strike at Johansen, but did not see any weapon. Johansen staggered to the verandah of the hotel where he fell down, Jacobsen and Newman going away. A few minutes later Johansen was found dead by George Robinson, who followed and arrested Newman and Jacobsen, a knife belonging to the latter was picked up next day near the hotel. Johansen had a wound in the breast such as might have.been made by that weapon. Newman was released after (he coroner’s inquest, and Jacobsen committed for trial. Nothing was proved as to any previous bad feeling existing between the men, but it was . shown that Jacobsen had been drinkihg heavily for some time. His Honor, Mr Justice Ward, in sentencing the prisoner, said that the jury cn evidence, which he thought carried conviction with it to all who heard it, had found the prisoner guilty of manslaughter. They had taken a most merciful view of the case. Though only found guilty of • manslaughter, prisoner had been found guilty of a foul crimes No doubt when he struck the deceased he knew well he was unarmed and taken by surprise. I Prisoner seemed to be the stronger of the two, and had deceased been forewarned ho, might have protected his life. But frisoner was maddened with drink, that curse of the colony, which was no excuse for his crime, Though he might now reck little of hia crime, thinking or the prime of hia manhood and hia recent escape from death, yet a time would come when bis heart and strength would both fail him. The shadow of his crime would be bondo him and from the prison 10 which tie would he consigned ho would 'ooic iq the grave which was before him. R's Ronor then sentenced the prisoner to ho kept in penal servitude fer the term of hia uaiura: life. |

Finding of a Human Arm.—A. human arm was discovered by a Maori last week on (he beach close to the mouth of the Waitaki. Attached to the wrist was the sleeve of a silk dress, and by this the arm has been identified as part of the body of a Mrs Robinson, who disappeared from Oamaru about a mouth ago.

The Californian Thistle.— At a meeting of the Ashburton County Council on Friday last it was resolved: that the Californian thistle be declared a noxious weed within the meaning of the Counties Act, which gives the Council of any county power to contribute out of the genera] funds any sum of money that may be necessary to eradicate or prevent the growth of any noxious weed or plant, and the officers of the Council were instructed to report its existence should they meet with it in any part of the County. This is a practical way of dealing with the pest, and the Ashburton County Council are to be commended for their action. Timabu A. and P. Association. A meeting of the Committee was held on Saturday afternoon, Mr J, S. Rutherford presiding. Correspondence was read re the Californian thistle and the Centennial Exhibition to be held at Sydney. The Secretary said the real business was to consider a dispute in relation to certain sheep prizes which were alleged to have been wrongly allotted. It appeared that Mr Dtmoan Rutherford, of Amun, considered himself aggrieved at not haying received the first prize in a certain class of sheep, the prize being awarded to Mr Clark. After discussing the .matter, : it was resolved—" That the Association, having gone into the matter referred ,to in Mr Rutherford’s letters, regret exceedingly that owing to some unfortunate placing of the tickets a misunderstanding has arisen. The Committee, on investigation, are oatisfied that the sheep to which the first prize was awarded are the sheep to which the judges did award the first prize.' The Committee are very sorry that the inadvertence of the class stewards has been the.oaose of the complaint, and trust that this explanation will prove satisfactory.” Accounts amounting to £33 19s 8d were passed for payment, and ths meeting'adjourned. Victoria Lodq* No. 19, 1.0.0. F., Geraldine. —The usual fortnightly meeting of this Lodge was held at Geraldine on Friday evening last, Bro, J. Williams, N.G., presiding. There were a large number of brethren present. After routine business had been transacted the installation of officers for the ensuing half year was proceeded with. The following ware* duly installed by the D.D.G.M., Bro. G, H, Patrick :—N.G., Bro, J, Williams (re-elected) ; V.Q., Bro. R. Hardy; Secretary, Bro. A, McKay ; Treasurer, Bro. T, Bowkett; Warden, Bro, W. Stonehouse, sent. ; Conductor, Bro. J, Dobbie; 1.G., Bro. W. Coltman, sent. The Lodge was then closed by the N.G. A banquet was held afterwards, to which between thirty and forty brethren and friends sat down. h all justice having been done to the really excellent spread provided by Bro. R. Taylor, the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were proposed and duly honored. “ The Sovereign, Grand Lodge of the World, I. and “The Officers of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand ” was proposed by the Chairman, and coupled with the name of Bro. G. H. Patrick, D.D.Q.M., who suitably responded, and urged upon the young men present as visitors to join the Order, pointing out in a neat and forcible speech the advantages to be derived from so doing. The Chairman next proposed “ The Victorian Lodge, 1.0.0. F.,” coupled with the names of the Past Grands. This toast was responded to by Bros. J. Williams, J. P, Kalaugher, J. Pye, W. Coltman, and J. W. Pye. The health of the N.G. was drank with musical honors, and duly responded to, “ The Newly installed Officers’’ was responded to by Brothers McKay and Bowkett. “The p ast Vice-Grand, Bro, J. Dobbie,” was drunk with musical honors and responded to. “The Visitors” was responded to by Messrs Millard, Bethune, and Campbell. Bros. Fronting and Bamble responded to the toast of “The Newlyappointed Officers.” “ The late Secretary ” was responded to by Bro. W. Coltman, who in replying urged the revival of the St. Patrick’s Day sports under the auspices of the Oddfellows’ Society in Geraldine. Ths following toasts were also given and responded to “ Absent Brethren,” “The Press,” “The ViceGrand, Bro* Hardy,* which was responded to by Bro. J, W. Pye in the absence of Bro, Mardy. “ Our Host, Bro. R. Taylor,” concluded the last of the toasts. During the evening some excellent songs were rendered by Bios. Williams, McKay, Rtonebouse, jun., E. Smith, J. Pye, and J. P. Kalaugher. Recitations were also given by Bn. Patrick, and Mr P. Bethune. The Company separated at an early hour on Saturday, having again enjoyed one of those pleasant re-nnions that are a feature of the Oddfellows Lodge, Geraldine. Doughs, Colds, Bronchitis, &0., are quickly cured by using Baiter’s “ Lung Pre- ■ server.” This old-established and favorite medicine is pleasant to the palate, and highly extolled by members of the. medical, legal, and clerical professions. For testimonials see advb. Sold by all patent medicine vendors.

**jBTTCHir• Faiba. ’’ —Quick, complete cure* all annoying Kidney, Bladder and Urinary diseases. At Chemist* and Druggists. Kempthorne, Prosier and do., Agents; Christ* church. 1

SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS.

Mrs John Talbot, Rangitira Yalley—Wants a girl as general servant. A. Baker, Geraldine— Publishes cash price list of boots and shoes. W. S. Maslin Sells household furniture and effects at Teirmka on Monday next. John Collier, Winchester—lnvites separate tenders for stooking and carting wheat and oats on Mr A. L* Barker’s land. J. W. Pje, Victoria House, Gferaldme — Notifies that he is now offering some rare bargains in summer goods, clothing, boots and shoes, eto., etc. Jas. Riordan, baker and confectioner, Geraldine—Notifies that be has removed to the commodious premises lately occupied by Mr R. Darlow.

Bankruptcy Notices—Re Henry Nicholson the younger, contractor of Waitohi (for* merly of Wellington, Hotelkeeper), and Albert Wssley, of Arowhenua, laborer. John Braddiok, Mount Pleasant, Rangitira Valley—Has 59 acres of first-class land in the Rangitira Valley, for sale planted, with forest trees, well watered, and divided into paddocks. James Ogilrie, Plumber, Tinsmith, Zincworker, Braiier, Bell hanger, and Locksmith, Temuka —Notifies that he is prepared to do nil work connected with the trade, milk cans for factory use supplied at less than Dunedin prices; is agent for the “Hickok Calcium burner,” which can be fixed to any ordinary lump, and gives a better light (ban gas.