LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1720, 5 April 1888, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Parliament. —lt was virtually decided by Ministers on Tuesday that Parliament should he summoned for the despatch of business on Thursday, May 10th, at 2 p.m. Wanted Maintaining. A Melbourne woman gouged out one of her husband’s eyes and blinded the other with a pair of scissors, end then sued him for maintenance ! She did not get it.

Geraldine Road Baaed.— The followingpersons hare been nominated to fill the vacancies on the Board William Stephen Maahn, Peter McShane, William Postlathwaite, and William Upton Slack. R.M. Oouet, Temdka. At the abore Court, yesterday, before A. M, Clark and J, Guild, Baqi., J.P’s., William Hooper sued Solomon (a Maori), for 4s. Judgment was given for the amount, claimed and costs. Geraldine Football Club.—A practice match will be held by the members of this Club to-day, play commencing at 3.30 p.m. Members are requested to roll up in force, as all present will bare an opportunity of taking part in the game.

The Coming Session.— The Wellington Evening Press considers that the approaching session is likely to be a most eventful one, probably abounding in strange combination*, extraordinary alliances, and sensational changes. It is certain to be a pretty long one.

Anothee Gabdbn Pesx.—A fly has been attacking the vegetables at Waitara, and has made it almost impossible to grow cabbages, kahl, turnips, or indeed anything with a green leafy top. The insect establishes itself under the leaves of these plants, and speedily demolishes them.

Ihe Pom's Justuse Presents.— The Pops has provided for the distribution of bis Jubilee gifts after his death. The presents from Sovereigns, and all the most valuable articles, are to form a new museum in the Vatican, except thos» which are of an ecclesiastical character, and they are to be given to St. Peter’s. Everything else is to be distributed among the hospitals of Rome. A Mass op Eelb.— A curious phenomenon was to be seen at Lake Forsyth, Little River, the day after the late gale. The heavy seas having washed away the shingle spit that blocks in the lake, the wateif emptied itself into the sea, leaving the bottom of the lake exposed and revealing a mass of live eels, which, in the opinion of those who saw them, would have filled a email ship.—Press. A Parisian Sensation.— Considerable interest was recenty aroused in Paris in the trial of two ruffians, Hazo and Darguease, who made a bet to drown an unfortunate woman called La Brotonne, with wh*>m they were associated, for a cup of coff *. La Brt-tonna «as walking with them across the Pont St. Michel, at midnight, when they asked her to mount the parapet. She did so in a gay mood, and when on the parapet she blew a whiff of the cigarette which she was smoking into the faces of the men. Then one of them pushed her into the Seine. Hazo, the fellow who is supposed to have pushed the woman over, was sentenced to penal servitude for life, while has to undergo twenty years of the same punishment.

Narrow Escapes prom Drowning.— Mr VV. Cox, t:ie contractor for cleaning out the Arowhenua Creek, had a narrow escape from drowning yesterday morning. While engaged in his work be was seized with a fit, and fell backwards into the water. Luckily, Mr J. Carter, who was working with him at the time, observed his predicament and quickly got him out of the water, but it was some time before he recovered consciousness, Had not assistance been at band, Mr Cox must have been drowned.—On Saturday evening a man named Johnston was found in an exhausted condition on a shingle spit in the Rakaia riverbed. It appears be wanted to cross the river in a buggy, and the bank of the river having been washed away, he got out of the vehicle to look for another track, and fell over the bank into ihe water. Assistance reached him only iuat in time to save his life.

Current Stories.— The Hon. W. Rob leston, when Minister of Lands, made a barefaced bid for the vote of Democratic F. J. Moss. The latter promised to let him know in writing in the morning. When the morning camo the Minister received a letter containing the line, ‘ A Rolleston gathers no Moss.' And this remind* us (Bulletin) of another good story. Mr Moss was leader writer of the New Zealand Herald when Sir George Grey cama from the seclusion of Kawau to liberate from the rule of the 1 Continuous Ministry.’ Wilson, the proprietor of the Herald, though a democrat in polities, was a good deal mixed up with the land rings, etc. One night during the progress of an election campaign, Grey delivered a stirring speech about Ministerial rottenness, and as an instance mentioned that the Government had recently given a syndicate of their friends a valuable block for ihe tenth part of its value. Moss, who was at the meeting, rushed off to his office mid produced a stinging article against the particular job mentioned by Grey. Naxt morning he met Wilson looking very glum. 4 that’s the matter, sir?’ asked Moss ; 4 nothing wrong 1 hope I 4 Well, uo,’ said Wilson, 4 not much—that is to say, I have £5,000 m that sydicate you s.ated so badly Y

Lunacy. —At the R.M. Court, Timaru, yesterday, William Bear was committed to the Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum.

Lady Judge. —The American woman is inarching on from victory to victory. Miss Ada C. Bitteubuilder, who was the first woman admitted to the bar in Nebraska, is now running for judge of the Supreme Court. She is said by a local paper to be “ magnetic, impressive, courteous and conciliatory,” Served Him Right, A Minister preached au eloquent sermon on hard times, and dwelt with much earnestness on the doty of retrenchment and economy. His powerful discourse had a swift and unexpected effect. Immediately after service the congregation held a church meeting and reduced the Minister’s salary from £4OO to £3OO.

Rifle Match.—A rifle match has been arranged to take place to-day at Temuka between teams of ten men representing the Timaru and Temuka R fle Companies. The ranges will be 200, 300, and 500 yards; Wimbledon targets and scoring; any military position. Temuka will be represented by Captain Hayhurst, Lieutenants Findlay and White, Sergte, Woodhead and Robbs, Corpls. Lavens, Whitehead, and Clinch, and Privates Egan and Livery. Emergencies, Privates Ooira, Russell, Scott, and Smallridge. The Timaru men will leave for Temuka at halfpast 12 o’clock. A Rowdy Race Meeting.— Denevirke, in the Hawke’s Bay district, appears to be a lively place for racing. Of a recent meeting the local paper says ;—“ It is a matter for regret that the Stewards did not take rigorous measures to repress the disgraceful rowdyism which prevailed during the meeting. At one time a huge Maori had taken possession of the saddling paddock, knocking down all and sundry who crossed his path, and later in the day one of the races was delayed a considerable time, while nearly the whole of the spectators left the vicinity of the stand and indulged in a series of fights 1 out on the lovely grass.’ ”

A Gentleman-,— ln the course of the inquiry into the Tuapeka Mouth stabbing case atth#Courthouse on Wednesday last, one of the witnesses during the examination politely spoke of those who were mixed up in the squabble as “ the other gentlemen.” There are many definitions of the word gentleman ; but when it is applied to a lot of drunken ruffians who stand over two men while they fight to death, and who allow a man to die in their midst, wallowing in his own blood without making any effort to get surgical assistance or to alleviate bis suffering in the slightest degree, we think it is near time that some other terra was coined to apply to respectable people.—Exchange. Timaru Hospital. The following is the return of patients in the Timaru Hospital for the month of March 1888 Patients under treatment at dale of last return : Males, 15 ; females, 1; total, 16. Admitted during month : Males, 15; females, 6; total, 21. Totals treated : Males, 30 ; females, 7 ; Total, 37. Discharged during month —Cured : Males, 12; females, 3 ; total, 15. Relieved and admitted as out patients; Males, 1; total, 1. Incurable : Males, 1; females, 1 ; total, 2. Totals discharged : Males, 14 ; females, 4; total, 18. Remaining under treatment i Males, 16 ; females, 3 ; total, 19, Oat patients treated during month ; Males, 18 ; females, 31; total, 50. The Three-Acees-anda-Cow.— ln a recent issue of this paper we published an article pointing out that the Conservative Government of England had passed the “Allotments Act, 1887,” which was somewhat analogous to the “ Three-Acres-and-a-Cow ” proposal. The Ashburton Guardian copied this article, and added the following to it“ It is only fair and just to Mr Twomey, who is the editor of the Leader, and who was one of the candidates for the Gladstone constituency at the last general election, to say that he ■was one of the first advocates in New Zealand of the principle contained in (he English ‘Allotments Act ’ above referred to, and published in 1883 a ‘Laborers’ Homes Scheme,’ which was submitted to the late Government before any Land Acquisition Bill saw the light.” We fudy appreciate our contemporary’s civility aud kindness in thus referri g to the matter.

Hilton School Committee. The monthly meeting of this Committee was held in the schoolroom on Friday evening last. Present —Messrs R. Skinner (Chairman), W, Beattie, L. H. Rooke, A. Taomev, and W. Hide, The minutes of the last ordinary and two special meetings wore read and confirmed. The accounts and books duly audited by the Board’d auditor were laid upon the table. Correspondence was received and dealt with as follows From the Board of Educition, asking the number of Committee meetings held during the yen'. From the same informing the Committee that the sum of £4 17s 6d had been paid to its credit for incidentals. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Rooke, seconded by Mr Hide, to call for tenders for cleaning the school; tenders to be in by 23rd April, it was decided to take oyer all stationery in stock on first of January j that all books be purchased through the Committee. The following returns of the Hilton School treat were made The total amount received from all sources, including a balance from last year of 19s sd, was £lO 17s 4dj expenditure for prizes and treat, £lO 4s 7d ; leaving a balance of 12s 6d. The Committee considered the accounts very satisfactory. Accounts to the amount of £4 6s 61 were passed for payment and the meeting adjourned.

BoitS. —A horso attached to a cart, the property of Mr John Broanahan, of Levels Plains, bolted out of Mr Winning’s yard, Temuka, on Tuesday morning, having been frightened by the noiae made by a weighing machine drawn along the floor of the grain store. On gelling into the Main Street the horse turned to the right, and mads for home. Near the Postoffice Mr J. W. Trivia made an unsuccessful attempt to stop it, with the result that it turned on to the footpath, passed between the lamp post and the Postoffice, knocked down the horse post on the side of the footpath, and got out on to the Main Bead again. Continuing its mad career, it passed over the. bridges to the Arowhenua Hotel, where it arrived safe and sound, and, doubtless feeling that it was safe there, came to a standstill. On one of the bridges it met with a horse and dray, of which Mr M. O’Brien had charge, but passed by ia the nieest manner possible without the slightest collision. Altogether, it is remarkable that the horse passed over such a distance without any mishap.—Last evening’s Mail records that as a team of horses at* 1 tached to a dray, belonging to Mr Mclntosh, of the Point, reached the Melville Hotel, Timaru, yesterday, the express train was just coming out of the cutting, and a puff of smoke frem the engine caused the horses to bolt. The cart, came in contact with a telegraph pole and smashed it, and the one falling caused another to snap off close to the (op, and of course the wires came down, but were soon repaired. One of the horses was i very severely injured. j

More Waste. —The Wellington Evening Post states that a most scandalous waste of public money has been, and is, taking place in the erection of the new Government Printing Office at Wellington. It states that the building is quite unsuited in design for the purpose for which it is intended, and that owing to the defective arrangements work will cost probably five or ten per cent, more than it would in a properly designed office.

Prolific Wheat.—A remarkable stool of wheat is now being exhibited at Oamaru. It is (the North Otago Times says) a hybridised white tusoan, grown by Mr Isdale on his farm at Mind Cliff. It was grown from a single seed, which has produced 35 stalks, about 4£ feet high, the heads containing the prodigious yield of 2505 grains of good sound wheat. We have heard of exhibits in England containing about 1800 grains, but evidently wo can beat that. Cycling. —The twenty-five mile bicycle champion race came off on Tuesday evening at Lancaster Park, Christchurch, on the grass rack. It was won by H. Soanes, of the Christchurch Club ; W. J. S, Hayward, Christchurch, second ; N. Hall, Pioneer Club, third. Seven others.started, but none of them finished. Soanes forced the pace almost from the start, winning by six yard*. Tim*— Ihr 35min 47secs.

The Largest Tree in California,— 1t is stated that the largest tree in California is to be found in Tulare county. It is 450 feet high, and the trunk is 138 feet in circumference. To comprehend the size of this tree, one has only to reflect that a building 45 feat square could be set on the butt for a foundation if the tree were cut down and not project over ihe sides, “The Father of the Forest” seems to be a fitting name for such a monster.

Sudden Death oj a Hobsb. —A very valuable horse belonging to Mr John Brown, of Milford, died under .peculiar circumstances in Timaru last Tuesday. Mr Brown had a lord of bags on his dray in Timaru, when something frightened the horse, which was in Mae leading harness, and it suddenly turned slightly round and fell down. II soan-ly again moved, but died right off. The horse was a very valuable animal, Mr Brown having,given £45 for it a few years ago as a two-year-old.

Revenue Returns.— For the financial year ended on Saturday, the Customs revenue exceeded the Ministerial estimate by £6225 5s 3d. The total amount collected throughout the colony during the year was £1,256,225 5s 3d, the estimate haying been £1,250,000. The monthly total for the colony was £98,561 2s 4di. The receipts in beer du'y for the year amounted to £51,993 15s (?), a deficit of £2006 3s lid, the estimate having been £52,000.

A Happy Family.—A resident of Geraldine has a cat which is rearing a family of kittens in an outhouse. The other day a hen, desirous of becoming a mother, entered the outhouse, and her <ve lighted on the kittens. She immodiatflv s- tiled herself down en them, and was in happy possession when the cat returned. The latter took in the situation at once, and placed herself beside the hen, and the strange group may be seen at any time nestling together in a bunch. A Curiosity. —On Monday last the family of Mr R. Morrison, Geraldine, paid a visit to the ocean beach, near Milford, and while there observed a strange bird upon the sands. After a short run the prize was captured, and turned out to be a penguin. Thu bird is about eighteen inches high, and is a beautiful specimen. It has probably been driven north by the heavy weather we have erpeneoced of late. At any rate, it will bo something new to a great many persons in the district, and is well worth seeing.

Tbmuka Mechanics’ Institute. The ordinary monthly meeting was held in the reading room on Tuesday evening, April 3rd. Present —Messrs James Blyth (President), E. Lee, F. Archer, GK Me3. Gentlemur., J. Beri, T. Edwards, and H, M. Miles (Hon. See.) The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The librarian’s report, enclosing £6 7s subscriptions since la>t meeting was received and considered satisfactory. Accounts to the amount of £l6 14s lid were passed for payment and a vote of thanks to the President t ermmated the meeting. Profits on Milling Wheat. The Auckland Herald, after quoting Adelaide prices for wheat and flour and those locally, says:—“Our manufacturers should produce trieir fine flour at the rate of £6 3s 41—or, say £6 sa—-per ton, and «s tney sail at £ll 5a per ton, we have the startling result of a profit of £5 per ton, or at the rate of 80 per cant, profit on the actual cost of production. This is really so extraordiniry that we put it forward wiihsoros diffi fence, but (he margin is so vary large that wa are prepared for great reduction and yat have a result remaining that requires explanation. Can it bo possible that our manufachircrs of fl iur are exac'ing a profit of anything approaching to 80 per cent, on the milling of wheat? If so, what kind of encouragement does this give to our struggling f .rmers, who are almost driven in despair from the growth of cereals by the low price obtainable for their wheat? We ask it more in sorrow than in anger : Gan hose things he I” Important Native Meeting. —A great native meeting has been held at Waiapu, on the East Coast. Sixty Maoris from Wellington were present. The occasion was the opening of a big carved house by Major Ropata. The Hon, B. Mitchelson, Native Minister, and Mr Lewis, Secretary, were present. Wednesday morning was occupied by a reception of the Minister, and in speechifyi g. Mr Carroll, M.H. R., was the principal speaker, and ably advocated the wants of the native people, more especially free trade in native land, and thorough reorganisation of the Native Land Court. Mr Mitchelson said that Bills were in course of preparation, one to repeal the Native Land Administration Act, and another to repeal the Crown and Native Lands Rating Act. Government thought the time had arrived when the natives should manage their own affairs, and they would introduce legislation enabling them to manage their own affiirs. Great changes would also be made in the Native Land Court, The Bills "would be printed in Maori and English, and distributed throughout the country. An expression of opinion would be invited from the leading natives, and alterations made if desired. The Maoris at the meeting have held meetings since, and expressed the opinion that Air Mitchelson’a speech was most satisfactory, and would meet their views on every point. There were five thousand natives present at the meeting, and two hundred white people. Everything was successful, and the meeting is probibly the largest of the kind that will ever be held in the colony. There were eight hundred men and women dancing the haka.

Death of an Old Maori. —Probably one of the oldest meu in the colony passed away when Hapi Moko breathed his last in the Riverton Hospital on Thursday evening. His exact age (says the Western Star) cannot be ascertained, but the oldest inhabitants remember him as an old man when they first c«mo to Riverton, and his age is variously estimated at from 100 to 110 years. Hapi Moko, who belonged to a tribe -formerly about Temuka, came South with Pararoa about the time of the war in 1839, and ever since remained about here.

Maine News,— Dr Soule’s American Hop Bitters, which ate advertised in our columns, nro a sure cure for ague, biliousness, and kidney complaints. Those who use them say thsy cannot be too highly recommended. Those afflicted should give them a fair trial, and will become thereby enthusiastic in the praise of their curative qualities;—Portland Argus.

Baxter’s Lung Preserver has gamed great popularity in this district as a speedy and effectual remedy m the treatment of Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis, and othei obest and throat complaints. Read advt. and try it. Hollowat’s Ointment and Phis.—As winter advances and the weather becomes more and more inclement and trying the earliest evidences of ill-health must be immediately chocked and removed, or a slight illness may result in a serious malady. Relaxed and sore throat, quinsey, influenza, chronic cough, bronchitis, and most other pulmonary affections will be relieved by rubbing this cooling Ointment into the skin as nearly ns practicable to the seat of mischief. This treatment, simple yet effective, is admirably adapted for the removal of these diseases during infancy and youth. Old asthmatic invalids will derive marvellous relief from the use of Holloway's remedies, which have wonderfully relieved many such sufferers, and re-established health after every other means had signally failed.

SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS. Mrs Scott, Woodbury—Monthly nurso j letters attended to.

F. J. LeOren, Manager Nawlandi—lnvites tenders for draining. Andrew Gibson, Arowhenua Has three horses, dray and harness, and d.f. plought to Lt on hire.

C, E. Sherratt, Returning Officer Notice re poll for election of members of Geraldine Road Board.

J. Mundell and Co.—Hold clearing sale of horses, farm implements, etc., on farm of Mr B. Cochran, Hilton, on Monday next, E, 8. Smith, Temnfca—Notifies that he has commenced business in Temaka as a carrier and expressman ; trains attended ; all orders executed with care and attention.