LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1899, 1 June 1889, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Emcmo Light. The Lyttelton Borough Council have decided to call for funders for lighting the town by electricity, Thb lonic.—The lonic sailed from Wellington for London, via Eio, at 4.30 on Thursday afternoon. She has a full cargo and a fair complement of passengers.

Advance in Sugar.—The Colonial Sugar Company have advanced the price of sugar of various grades £2 per ton. Selling Land for Rates. —Fifty sections of land in the various country districts of Auckland were seld on Wednesday to meet the demands for rates upon them. Pre-Sessional Address. —Mr A. E. Q. Rhodes addressed his constituents at Pleasant Point on Wednesday, there being a very good attendance, and received a vote of thanks and confidence, on the motion of the Rev, W. White, seconded by Mr Morris. Mr E. Acton presided. Responsibility of Harbor Boards. — The Lyttelton Harbor Board haye agreed to co-operate with the Tiraaru Harbor Board in obtaining an amendment of the Harbors Act in the direction of requiring a harbor master to be a duly qualified person, and limiting the board’s responsibility for acts of their harbor masker. The Paynes. —We remind our readers that the Payne Family of musicians, from Ballarat, Victoria, will give a performance in the Volunteer Hall, Terauka, this evening, when they will doubtless be greeted with a large audience. On Monday evening they perform at Geraldine. They have had crowded audiences at Timaru and Waimhte.

A Bolt.— A horse of Messrs Velvin and Taylor’s cleared out with the cart to which it was attached, from the front of Mr Taylor’s residence, Temuka, yesterday, at noon. It was left feeding while Mr Taylor was at lunch, but the blinkers becoming deranged it took fright and made off, taking the direction of the Main South Road. When opposite Mr Blyth’s it concluded that running away was not a wise proceeding and stopped accordingly. Fortunately no damage was done. Large Potatoes.— Large potatoes appear to be common this year. The other day we were shown one (grown by Mr J. Polaschelc, of Arowhenua) of the American Early Rose variety, of regular shape, weighing 2|lb. Yesterday we were shown one, of the Derwent kind, grown at the Chinamen’s garden, Arowhenua, which scaled fully 31b, and we understand one was unearthed last week by the same owners, which turned Ibe scale at 41b, This speaks well for the soil of the district. Gold. —A telegram from Hokitika says “ The recent gold discovery at Waiho is of great importance. Two men divided £25 in fire days’ work, whilst Gordon and party (three men) have three years’ work on the ground which will pay £lO a man a week for the whole of that period. The locality is close to the right-hand bank of the Waiho, opposite the forks. The ground appears to have been an ancient riverbed, and the gold is got by sluicing with water led in from the river. The principal difficulties in working are from the rooks, which are numerous and large. Auction Sale. Messrs Gray and Montgomery submitted for sale by public auction yesterday at Temuka certain properties in the estate of the late John Craig. A J-aore section, with a 4-rooraed house thereon, was withdrawn at £95. The entire horse “ Nobleman ” failed to elicit a bid, and “Invincible,” a 4-year-old by “ Early Morning,” out of “Bly,” was knocked down to Mr Hugh Mills for 18 guineas. “Bly,” a very well-bred draught mare, in foal to “ Nobleman,” was passed in at £ll. Sundry lots of furniture were disposed of at very satisfactory prices. . Lecture. —Another of the series of popular lectures delivered in aid ef the funds of the Geraldine Literary Institute is announced for Thursday evening next. On this occasion Mr J. Aitken, 8.A., will lecture on “ Water,” and will give practical illustrations of the component parts, etc., of the subject he is dealing with. The Committee have during the past few months provided the public of Geraldine with some exceedingly interesting lectures, and there is little doubt, judging from the well-known ability of the lecturer, that that of Thursday evening will prove as interesting as the preceding ones. The small sum of Is will be charged for admission, so the room should be crowded. Gift Auction and Sale of Goods.— The gift auction and sale of goods in connection with the Victoria Lodge, No. 19, 1.0.0. F., Geraldine, took place on Thursday last. A large quantity of goods, live stock, fruit and forest trees, ornamental shrubs, etc., had been got together by the committee appointed to carry out the affur. There was a fair attendance of buyers, and the prices realised were very satisfactory, the lodge netting a very handsome aura from the sale, Mr W. S. Maslin kindly gave his services as auctioneer gratis. A dance was held in the hall in the evening, and was well patronised. Music was supplied by Mr J. Figoni. The catering was in the hands of Mr J. Williams.

Peoperty-Tai Valuations. The question of the amount at which the Wellington-Manawatu Railway should be valued for property-tax purposes has been further argued before the Board of Reviewers. Mr Travers appeared for the company, who had been assessed at £135,958, Counsel argued that his clients ought to be assessed according to the value of the land supposing it did not carry the railway, and that the amount expended on permanent way, otc,, should not be taken into consideration. Mr Ball appeared for the local bodies interested, and ointended that the construction of the line, the erection of buildings, etc., had vastly increased the value of the land in the possession of ths company. The board was of opinion that the principle must be sustained that the value of the fee simple should include the running rights. The valuations were therefore sustained, The Weather and Cnops.--0a Thursday evening a break occurred iu the fine frosty weather that has been experienced for the past few weeks, and a moderately heavy rain shower fell, Farmers have certainly every reason to be congratulated this season, for they have had every opportunity to push forward farming operations of every kind. The plough has been kept going steadily, and already a fair area of wheat has been sown, while more is ready for the seed, On the Rangitata Mr Andrew Grant has a eery forward crop of dun oats—a variety of especial value, as affording spring feed, and also threshing well. Farmers this year appear to be making efforts lo provide feed for the early spring months, and rye, Cape barley, and tartarian oats have been frequently sown to supplement the turnip crop, which is by no moans a heavy one. The main potato crop is now being bagged, and several largo sales are reported; All ready for sale are easily disposed of, and several lines have been booked for forward delivery.

Football. —A scratch match between the Temuku and Darktown Clubs will take place to-day. AH members are requested to bo on the ground at 3 o’clock sharp: Wesleyan Church, Temuka. Th n Rsv. R. S. Bunn will conduct the morning and evening services at this Church tomorrow. Temuka Dairy Factory.— The milk season in connection with the above closed yesterday. The season, we understand, has been a satisfactory one, although during the opening months the supply of milk was decidedly limited. Netting Small Birds.— Acting upon our advice (says the Ashburton Guardian) that the small birds pest might be minimised by netting the birds after dark with bat-fo ding nets and lanterns. A party of gentlemen last night (captured in this way no less than 250 sparrows. A Mishap. A young man named Cross, whilst driving a loaded dray belonging to Messrs Swaney Bros., was “stuck up ” by his horses near Mr Craig’s old promises at Temnka, yesterday. A nervous horse in the body of the team induced the shatter to back, and one wheel getting into the water-table sank down nearly to the axle. The load was lightened, the harness readjusted, and the assistance of some bystanders having been procured matters were soon righted. No one from the appearance of the watertable would have imagined that it was so soft. The near wheel was literally bogged. Property-Tax.— When the propertytax assessors’ valuations in Hawkes Bay were sent in they showed large reductions, and the department appointed a secret committee of revisers in each district. This was the only provincial district in which such a course was adopted. The revisers largely increased the valuations. Tills caused a large number of objections, and great interest has been taken in the sittings of the board of reviewers. Several attempts were made to get the names of the revisers, but Mr Orombie, the deputy commissioner, absolutely declined to give them up, notwithstanding the protests of the objectors that they were thereby placed at a great disadvantage. Many objections were sustained, and many failed. The result has been an increase in the Hawes Bay county assessors’ values, which have been raised £26,298. , , Sales. Messrs J. Mundsll and Co. notify elsewhere the entries for their usual fortnightly sale, which takes place on Wednesday next. They will also offer for sale on the same date 427 acres of tbe Woodside estate, with a heavy crop of turnips thereon. On Friday next they offer for sale the live stock and farming implements of Mr J. Northam, at Hillside farm, near Geraldine. Messrs Webster and Macdonald also sdvertiss entries for their fortnightly stock sale on Wednesday next, and hold a clearing sale of furniture, etc., on account of Mr F. W. Donkin, at The Warren, Woodbury, on the 13tb. Messrs Gray and Montgomery hold their monthly stock sale at Temuka on Tuesday, and Mr W. S, Maslin holds a clearing sale of fruit and forest trees, shrubs, etc,, on account of Mr M. Coombs, at Geraldine, on June 11th

■ Geraldine County Council. A special meeting of this council was held on Wednesday. Present—Messrs Balfour (chairman), Mackay, Hayhurst, Moore, Barker, and Howell. In accordance with notice given the following special order was now confirmed, on the motion of Mr Moore, seconded by Mr Barker—“ That this council do now strike a special rata in accordance with the provisions of the Local Bodies Loans Act of 1886 of l-16th of a Id in the £ on all rateable properly in the Woodbury water supply district, for the purpose of providing the interest upon a loan of £SO raised by the Geraldine County Council, under the provisions of the Govprnment Loans to Local Bodies Act 1886 and Amsndment Act 1887, the said rate to be an annual recurring rate for each year commencing from the Ist Jan. and ending the 31st Deo., and to bo payable annually in one sum on the Ist of May in each year (for a period of 26 yean, until the said loan be paid off), the first payment to be made on Ist June, 1889.” A draft of new waterworks bylaws was laid on the table, and an alteration made in it was read. The by-laws were theft adopted, and signed by the chairman, Mr Maekay, and Mr Howell. In reply to Mr Barker, the chairman said they had nothing official before the meeting with respect to the meeting of persons interested in the Orari-Waihi water race, hold at Orari Bridge schoolroom on Saturday list. All the chairman knew was that Mr Tripp had sent a long letter to his solicitors at Christchurch, containing numberless conditions or terms on which he would allow the water-racs to run through his land. He had received a letter from Mr Tripp, and as it contained matter for the ear of the members alone, would like the council to go iato committee on it, On corajag out of comcgittee the council adjourned. The verdict of all who have used the “ Jumbo ” brand Baking Powder, is that it makes light, nutritious, an? digestive bread, cakes, pastry, etc. As the ingredients are of the finest qualities, and no injurious elements being used in the preparation, bread, etc., made with this powdar will keep fresh and moist longer than with any other powder. Ask for Anderson’s “ Jumbo ” brand Baking Powder.—[Adtt, If.

SYNOPSIS Of ADVERTISEMENTS. Wesleyan Church, Temuka—Services for to-morrow. W. S. Maslin—Preliminary notice of sale of nursery stock. Oran Dancing Class—Re-opena on Wednesday evening next. P. Coira—lnvites tenders for painting Wallingford Hotel. Geo. Dayey, Temuka—Offers 10a reward for lose blaek and white collie. Geraldine Literary Institute—Lecture in aid of funds by Mr J. Aitken on Thursday next. Gray and Montgomery Hold monthly sale of stock at Temuka on Tuesday next, at one o'clock, Geraldine Town Board—Haye appointed Mr H. N. Hiskens clerk ; correspondence to be addressed to him. Webstar and Macdonald Publish pre liminary notice of sale at T. W. Donkin, Esq’s.; publishes entries for fortnightly stock sale at Geraldine on Wednesday. B- Uden, jun., Milford—Announces that ha has purchased one of the Carlyle grain and seed separators, and is bow prepared to remove seed from grain at very low rates; samples of work on view ; gives quotations. J. Mundoll and Co.—Publish list of entries far stock sale on Wednesday next; sell livi’ and dead farm stock on same date ,-ah* sell 427 acres, Woodside estate; publish particulars of clearing sale of live stock and farming implements eu Friday next.

J. Ballantyne and Co., Drapers, Clothiers, Milliners, Dressmakers, etc., Timara —Announce special purchases of blankets and wools, and great display ondlus and following days ; quote prices for wools, and also for special bargain lots in Japanese fans, kid gloves, dress materials, etc., now offering. T. and J. Thomson, Drapers and Silk Mercers, Timaru—Have just received a consignment of ladies’ jackets and coyert coats, purchased at an extraordinary concession; also, new styles in ulsters, children.’ wao bats, hair ornamente, ribbons, underclothing etc.