LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1881, 20 April 1889, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

An Aged Dean,—The Eey. Dr. Mac*rUey, Dean of Melbourne, has just celebrated his 99th birthday. Sir John H&Uj.—Sir John Hall is a passenger by the Rimutaka, which arrived at Hobart on Wednesday. Postponement oi Sooiaiu—The social gathering under the auspices of Lodge Bouthem Star, Geraldine, has been postponed until May 2nd. The Gisbobnb Mubbeb.—The law will be allowed to take its course in the case of the native Haira Te Pera, who lies in Napier gaol under sentence of death for the murder of the Pook family. No date has yet been fixed for ttio exeoution.

Society o* Fbibnds.—A sum of money has been forwarded from England by the Society of Friends for the erection of a place of worship for the Society in Auckland, and an allotment haa been secured in Wakefield street, where a hall will be erected.

The New Wbllimston Post Opficb.— The repairs to the post and building, which was burnt in April, 1887, are sufficiently advanced to enable the Telegraph Department to take possession again, and business was resumed on Wednesday evening. The DtJNEDiw Unemployed.—The Minister of Lands has promised thirty of the unemployed work on the Otago Central, and thirty on making roads in the Catlin'a river districf. Only married men are to bo tiken od. Ho distinctly stated that he could not think of finding work near the city. Saltation Army, Temuka.— At the Salvation Army, Terauka, jesterday evening, a sermon was preached by the Rev. B. S, Bonn, who kindly undertook to assist Captain Bates, who is suffering from a severe cold. There waß a good attendance.

Old Style Cricket Match.—An old style cricket match, held at Christchurch its aid of the funds of Herrick's City Mission Home, did uot attract a large attendance. All the players were dressed in the stylo of the last century, but though a pleasant d»y was spent no great profit was made. Gbealdine So ad Boabd Election.—The whole of the members of the Gerald ino Road Board retire this year through effluxion of time, and candidates for the vacant seats must be nominated with the Returning Officer, Mr W. Shiers before noon on the 25th April. Should a poll be necessary it will take place on the 6th May.

The Stabbing Case at Auckland.—An inquest oh the remains of the woman named Mary Ann Wilson, stabbed at Arch Hill, Auckland, was held on Wednesday. The testimony of Drs. Bell, Maokellar and Davy was to the offect that death was caused by septic poisonin?, the result of a stab in the chest. The jury returned a verdict of " Wilful murder " against Paget. Wesleyan Ohtjkoh, Tbmdka.—The Rev. R. S. Bunn will conduct three servioes in the old Wesleyan Churoh inTemuka, to-morrow—-at 11, 3, and 6.30 o'olock—and as on the Sunday following the new church will be utilised the seryices will be of a farewell charaoter. Doubtless the church will be well filled on each occasion by those who wish to bid good bya to the " old place " with its many memories.

A Sew Football Wbinkle.—A rather curious incident occurred during the progress of the game at Swinton, quite a wrinkle in its way. Swinton were allowed a free kick just on their own goal line, and, of course, the kicker rotired a few paces. Then two of the burliest of the Swinton team planted themselves in front of Messrs flepper and Moore, and eventually stopped their charging tactics. Of course, " no man can be off side in his own goal."

Sale of the Canterbury Eons,— la our advertising columns will be found particular! of the forthcoming sale of the Canterbury Eune. Sixty-four will be offered at the Assembly Rooms, Timaro, on the 30th May, and nineteen at the Land Office, Christchurch, on the 4th June. Particulars ns to conditions, etc., will be found in the advertisement. Fosters and plans are now to bo seen at the principal railway stations and post offices, and also at the road board offices.

Temuka EwXiES. —The Teipa|fa Kites to the Dumber of 32 rank and file'. paraded at the drill shed on Thursday evening fully equipped for encampment. After inspection they were marched to the station and joined the special train which had been put on to take the southern volunteers to Moeraki. The company was under the command of Lieutenant Findlay. Lieutenants White and Cross (Temuka Cadets) also proceeded with the company. Captain Bryars (Cadets) proceeded to the encampment by the same tram, having been appointed to the staff, Bazaak and Gift auction, The annual bazaar and gift auction in connection with St. Saviour’s Church, Temuka, will take placo on Easter Monday and the following day. The many appeals that have recently been made by the aeyeral congregations has made the work of those interested more than usually onerous, but in spite of ail the bazaar promises to be a success. There will be the usual number of stalls for the sale of useful and ornamental work, a luncheon stall, flower stall, and the lighter adjuncts in the shape of a bran pie, post-office, shooting gallery, and so forth. On Tuesday evening a large amount of produce, etc., will be disposed of by auction, and it is gratifying to noto in this connection that farmers have shown a tendency to giye a liberal share of the bountiful yield accorded to them this season. The ladies of the congregation and the church officers are straining every effort to make the affair as successful us possible. Wo notice that the admission will bo free.

Heavy Damages. — The compensation case Viccoot v. the Railway Department was concluded at Hokitika on Wednesday, the jury awarding plaintiff £SO special, and £BSO general damages. They were two hours considering their verdict. An appeal will be made. Accident 6N the Railway,— A man named J. Adams, employed on the railway, met with a rather severe accident at Ashburton on Wednesday. He was tilt- j ing coal with a crane, when by some means the basket fell and struck his wrist, breaking the bone and iaseerating (he flesh. —Ashburton Guardian. Personal. Geraldine is about to lose another of her promising young men. Mr J. P. Kalaugher, who for many years occupied a position in the Geraldine Public School with credit to himself and profit to his pupils, and has for the past twelve months acted as assistant master at the Temuka District High School, has been appointed assistant master in the Greytown School, Wellington district. While congratulating him upon his promotion the many friends of Mr Kslaugber will regrot his departure from the district, where he is so deservedly popular. His removal to Greytown will make a serious gap in the ranks of the Waihi Football Club’s first fifteen, and the club will experience considerable difficulty in filling his place as a three-quarter back, at which position he is a most promising player. Abominable Cruelty to a Horse.— A case of gross cruelty lo a horse is reported from Christchurch. A man, seemingly a foreigner, but in such an intoxicated condition that when arrested I his name and nationality could not be obtained from him, passed through Addington with a horse, which he attempted to sell at the Southern Cross, Hotel and elsewhere. Of one man be asked £7 for the animal, but to another he offered to sell it for 355. Of course, people were not disposed to do business with him in the condition he was, and, in what seemed a sudden maniacal impulse, be suddenly attacked the poor brute with a clasp-knife, putting out one of its eyes, and inflicting several cuts on its head. Three little boys saw him stab the horse, and Constable Flanagan was informed of the occurrence. He at once arrested the man and lodged him in the Christchurch lock-up, while the horse was placed in the police stables. The offender was brought before the Dench at Christchurch on Thursday and charged with drunkenness and cruelty. It was shown that the horse was badly injured, one eye being nearly gouged out. The prisoner, who gave his name as Wilhelm Hendricks, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, Proposed Nett Train Arrangements, —A public meeting was held at Ashburton on Tuesday evening to consider the proposed alterations in the running of the trains. Amongst the speakers w«a Mr Walker, who condemned the proposed alterations. The average of through passengers was but small, and ho was of opinion that the express train should be run so as to suit the convenience of the inland towns. On the motion of Mr Rudolph Friedlander, seconded by Mr Purnell, it was resolved—“ That in the opinion of this meeting the existing train arrangements are most suitable for all purposes.” It was further resolved—- “ That should the commissioners think fit to adhere to the proposed train arrangements the suggested tri-weekly service from Timaru to Ashburton should be on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays “ That the attention of the Commissioners be drawn to the length of time proposed to be taken by the ordinary trains, and that they be asked if the time between Christchurch and Ashburton and Timaru cannot be shortened at least one hour on their proposals “ That in the opinion of this meeting the express train should leave Christchurch and Dunedin at an earlier hour than eleven, so as to avoid unnecessary travelling after dark,” Geraldine County Council.— A special meeting of the Geraldine County Council was held on Wednesday last. Present— Messrs W. Balfour (chairman), R. Mackay W. B. Howell, and R. A. Barker. After some disoaasion it was resolved on the motion ot Mr Howell seconded by Mr Mackay—“ That in view of the the threatened action of the Government r* the lower bridge, this council is of opinion that the Government does not understand the nature and extent of the work necessary to restore the bridge to a state of more permanent usefulness than has been the case in the past; this council being of opinion that the present bridge would have to be largely extended, say another length of 1200 feet, making a total of 2500 feet, and cost £4OOO to £SOOO, and even then no assurance of permanency secured, owing to the very loose nature of the north end, part of the ancient river-bed in fact, so that a heavy fresh might easily open a new channel

for the river north of the extension ; and also this council wishes to draw the attention of the Government to the fact that the old portion of the bridge is considerably out of order, and that it is not worth extensive repairs; and further tbatit is only one of several rapidly approaching the same state which have equal claim for consideration, supposing it is reckoned that there is a necessity for keeping them up, to which this council believes that the greater number of ratepayers in both Waimate and Geraldine counties would demur; this council is therefore of

opinion that before the Government takei control of this or similar works it would b( strongly advisable that the wishes of th< ratepayers of the counties interested hi consulted, and that the councils shall b< guided in their action by the result, anc hope that the Government will endorss this view.” An amendment proposed bj Mr Barker was not seconded. Resolved—- “ That Messrs Turnbull and Rhodes b( requested to put themselves in communi cation with the Minister of Lands re the action of the Geraldine County Council in the subject of the bridges of the district,

and that the resolution passed by the council on April 17 be forwarded to them, tThe chairman then, read out the proposed alterations in the water-race by-laws, and the following resolutions were passed That the old by-laws dated 18;h of July 1887> bo rescinded.” “ That iu pursuance of the power vested by the Counties Act of 1886, the County Council do hereby make the following by-laws, which shall be applicable to the whole of the existing water works under the control of the council, and the whole county, and the same shall come into operation in May,” “ That a special rate of l-16th of a penny in the £ bo struck in the Woodbury water district to cover the interest on the further loan of £50.” The meeting then terminated.

Thk Codlin Moth Pbst.-—During his recent visit to thu other colonies Mr W. J. Courtney endeavoured to arrange that Mr J. Wolfe, of Tasmania, who has discovered a remedy for tho codlin moth pest, should visit this colony. Mr Wolfe has now written to Mr Cjurtney stating a partioular herb is used in treating trees for this complaint, aud he is not cnrtain whether this herb i? to be found in New Znalsnd.

Gold Retejjws.—.The gold returns for the quarter ended March 3lat hre : Auckland, £25,398 ; Marlborough, £6838 ; Nelson, £3680; West Coast, £12,065 Otago, £83,896; total, £239,877. This is an increase of £30,000 on the same quarter last y 6 :ir. Tho total gold entered fur exportation fronSMew Zealand ainci April Ist, ia £45,083,519. The Fear's EETENrjE.—The uccounts for the colony for the financiali year ending 31st March are now completed, snowing a surplus, so far as the consolidated fund is concerned, of £77,000; Against Ibis, however, may be placed a deficiency in the land fund of £II,OOO, leaving a net surplus of £86,000. This satisfactory condition of colonial finances will, the Premier states, enable the Government, ag promised to Parliament, to use the full amount of primage duty in reduction of the public debt, and tbea have a handsome balance for the year.

Football The following is the team which, will represent the Waihi Clnb in their match to-day with East Ohriatchurch t. — Forwards : A. Stewart, D. Stewart, W. Lewis, D. Lewis, J. MoLeod, F. Shallard, W. Brinkman, E; Wagstaff, and H. N. Hiskeni. Backs: Full back, W. MoLsan ; three-quar-ter, W. Stewart, A. Shallard, and J. P. Kalaugher ; half, O. Macintosh, and T. Hart (captain). The back division will be materially weakened by the absenoe of Messrs H. W. Moore at full baok and J. A. Fitzgerald at three-quarter back, both of are tterling players. The forwards, however, are about as good as the club can put into the field, and although, owing to the match taking place so early in the season, the men are all somewhat on tho soft side they should make a good fight of it against the "asphalters." A Plucky Woman.- The station residence on Wyndlay, Southland, the property of the Hon. R. Campbell, was burnt last Monday. The house was occupied by Mr Selwood,. whose {wife, while engaged in house work, heard a scream in the adjoining room. She found that her boy, 19 months old, had knocked a kerosene lamp off the mantel with a broom, and, the oil running into the fire, had buret into flames, and that the infant's clothes were on fire. Having whipped a blanket round him and carried him outside, she returned and put out the fire in the house, as she supposed. She then went to examine tho child's condition. While doing so the fire revived in the house, and the woman being exhausted by her evertions and alone could do nothing to stay it. Mr Selwood lost all his effects, includ.nif breeding ferrets. He had an insurance for £6O in the South British office, and loses £IOO oyer that. The house was insured, but the amount and offices are unknown.

The Shooting Season. Advantage was taken of the fine weather which characterised the opening of the season by every person who could raise the necessary equipmect for the sport. The results as far as have been made public do not appear to have been large. Docks were reported as being more plentiful than usual, but sportsmen found that they ud?© unusually hard to get at, and injw instance was a good bag made. The riverbed from the Temuka bridge to the soa fairly bristled with guns, while every likely spot for ducks was visited. Hares appear to be scarce this seasoo, the op«n weather permitting them to keep to the back country for the time being, and probably until snow falls upon the raages there will be comparatively few seen. Mr Egan appears to have been the most successful among the docks, but several private parties have not yet returned. Yesterday several parties for hare shooting were made up, but the day was hardly a favorable one for the sport, the warm •* weather making the game very close. Presbyterian Band of Hope.—The moothly meeting in connection with the above was held in the church on Thursday evening, the Rev. John Dickson occnpying the chair. The attendance waß large, nearly 200 being present. The gathering was the most successful held by the Band of Hope in the church, the following long and varied programme being gone through moat creditably : Address by the rev. Chairman ; recitations by Mr Sim, Masters E. Cooper and Fred. Storey, and Misses McCaskill, Smith, Copestake, and Goodey; speech by Master Copestake; dialogue by Misses McCaskill and Uoodey, and also a dialogue by seme of the senior members, entitled "Settling the question," the following taking part .-—Messrs -W, Cooper, W. and if. Storey, J. and W. .Russell, D., J., and P. McCaskill, W. and J. Morton, 0. Meredith, and a jury made up of 11 boys, A moßt amusing musical dialogue between Mr J. McCnekill and Miss Rusßell was much appreciated. Duriog the evening the choir contributed several glees, Miss Blyth presiding at trieV orgac

A Natite Meetis®.— Five hundred Natives attended the Native meeting at Poroti, Whangarei. Sir F. Whitaker was present on Thursday, accompanied by Mr Clevedon, B.M. Pomare Kingi said he regretted the absence of the Native Minister; whilst Kawbati, in mentioning the Poroti trouble, said the Government bad not interfered in time to prevent bloodshed. Taiwhanga and other Natives also spoke; and Sir F. Whitaker, in replying, said as the Poroti fight was in accordance with Native customs and usages, and on account of other circumstances surrounding the affair, Government would not take any steps. Ho warned them, however, that in any similar occurrence in future the Government would put it down at once, and take the parties prisoners. The

owners of the land had applied to bare (he land surveyed, and the Government had granted their request and sent a surveyor. The Government would not allow parties from other districts to prevent people who owned the land from baying it surveyed and passed through the Land Court. The Natives listened courteously to Sir F. Whitaker's explanation of the views of the Government relative to the recent tribal quarrels, and will settle the matter amicably among them’ selves.