LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2045, 13 May 1890, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waitohi Lierary.—The annual meeting of subscribers takes place to-night in the schoolroom.

Sale of Furniture. —Mr K. F. Gray holds a sale of household furniture and effects at I emuka to-day. Winchester Fair.— Messrs J. Mundell and Co., sell sheep and cattle at Winchester Fair to-day. Mr A. E. Oox also sella sheep, cattle, and pigs. Cheese. —The Mataura Ensign is informed that five tons of cheese from the Mataura factory has realised in London no less than 50s per cwr. The product was shipped as ordinary cargo. Building Society.— The annual meeting of the South Canterbury Building and Investment Society was held last Friday. The report stated that business was at a standstill during the year, but a dividend of 7 per cent, was paid. Temuka Load Board Election.— Messrs William Q. Aspinall and Joseph Woodhead were nominated on Saturday last ns candidates for the vacant seat on the Temuka lload Board, A noil will be taken on Saturday next. Fraudulent Bankruptcy. —At Ashburton on Thursday a man named Richard Morgan, lately a storekeeper at Mount Somers, was committed for trial for fraudulent bankruptcy, in failing to deliver up property, concealing goods, and failing to deliver books and make true statements, etc. The Caledonian Society, We are given to understand that Mr Murphy, secretary to the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, will deliver a lecture under the auspices of the Temuka Caledonian Society. The subject is farming, and Mr Murphy is certainly well qualified to handle it.

The Eiffel Tower.— lt was long ago anticipated that the Kiff-d Towar at. "Paris would prove to he useful for scientific observations ; but the most sanguine did not suppose that its value would be as great ns it actually (urns out to b-. Meteorologists who have had opportunities of making observations from is summit are loud in its praise, and consider it to ba absolutely unique as an observatory, for instance, in summer the temperature on the tower is lower and in the winter higher than it is on the ground. A few months ago a severe frost was enveloping the city while a warmbreeze was blowing up above the benefit of which was not felt by the people at the street leyel until three days afterwards.

The Foeth Bridge.— -Few people are aware of the vastness of Hie sura sunk in what may be termed the temporary plant used in building the Forth bridge. The engineers estimate that £500,000 was spent in this direction alone. Two small steamers were constructed to carry men and materials from one part of the bridge to another. In scaffolding, flooring, shedding,&c. 1,000,000 cubicfeet of timber were used. From first to last 1200 tons of more service bolts were needed to hold this mass of material together. Scores of hydraulic]acks, 60 miles of wire rope, and rams innumerable were also among the temporary appliances employed in constructing this stupendous viaduct, Fifiysix men were killed outright during the operations, and many more received injuries of a more or lessseiious charrcier.

Ghostly. — Says the Masterton Daily ; For many years past there has been at a Maori Pah, situated just across the Ruamahanga river, Te Ore Ore, a curiosity in the shape of an enclosure or vault, in which may be seen the remains of an ancient chief and several of his descendants. The coffin of the chief in question, which is manufactured of a plane kind of timber, is in a slanting position. A glass plate which originally covered the head has been broken, «nd there is now exposed to view n large portion of the aristocratical remains. In different paits of the vault are visible the coffins of children, 1 the coverings of each of which have been removed. To any persons inclined to romance a visit to this vault, which is always open, is exceedingly j interesting# J

Horse Sale. —Messrs J, Mundell and 00. hold a sale of horses at Geraldine tomorrow, booking entries to hour of sa'e. They also sell a spring dray and harness. Personal. —Evidently Geraldine is not the only place which was opening its arms to the E.ev. A. Bruce Todd. We notice by the Otago Daily Times that he has refused a call from Wallacetown, no doubt preferring to come to Geraldine. Magisterial arrangements. future civil cases will be heard at the Resident Magistrate's Court, Tamuka, every fortnight. Quasi criminal cases and so forth will be dealt with by the local justices. The arrangement has been coroe to owing to the paucity of business requiring the attendance of the Resident Magistrate, Good Prices. —As an instance of the rise in the price of sheep it may be mentioned that Mr A. Mackenzie, of the Geraldine Road, sold last week on the ground a nice line of fret zing wethers at 18s per head. Mr W. Budd, of Winchester, also sold- during the week an even line of 700 wethers at 16s per head. In consequence of the rise in the price of live stock the butchers in the Temuka district are raising the price of meat.

Entertainment. Professors P. P. PeLoree and Son gave an exhibition of their magic lantern entertainment at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Geraldine, on Friday evening last to a very fair audienoe. The views exhibited comprised many places of interest and notoriety in England, Ireland, Scotland, and on the Continent of Europe, portraits of English, American, and New Zealand celebrities. A number of views for the special amusement of the children were also shown. At the conclusion of the entertainment the professor did a number of juggling and sleight of hand tricks, some of which were aeally good.

Accident. —Mr Alexander Allen, l'armor, of Waitohi Downs, met with a painful accident yesterday at Temuka, He wag driving a dray, laden wilh coals, in the direction of the Manse crossing, and when opposite the Courthouse he stopped the team, with the intention of getting down from the dray. Unfortunately he tripped in some ra inner unexplained, and fell, sustaining an injury to the left arm. Noticing the accident, Mr N. C. N'obo'as had the horses unyoked and Mr Allen conveyed to Dr Hayes's residence. On examination it was found that he had sustained a compound fracture, which was duly treated. Althougu in considerable pain Mr Allen elected to r<turn home. With ordinary care his injuries are expected to progress favorably. The Wesleyan Bazaak and Gift AUCTION. — The bazaar in connection with the Wesleyan Church, Temuka, was closed on Saturday, by which date nearly everything had found purchasers, Mr Gray on Saturday evening sold a lot of live and dead stock, and a number of miscellanEoiis articles contributed to the gift auction, at satisfactory prices, and the total amount realised is expected tc exceed ths anticipations of the promoters. In our previous report we omitted to mention Mr G. Edgeler among the workers who so beautifully decoratec the hal 1 . His skill and taste contributed largely in producing the effective appearance that the hall presented, vto Saturday evening the bazaar remained open for a few hours, during which there was a fair attendance. The Circuit stewards desire to render hearty thanks to all who contributed in any way whatever to its success.

Dishorning Cattle. —A correspondent of a contemporary writes: —Allow me to report for the information of your readers that if they wish hornless cattle and would avoid the use of the saw, all that is necessary for them to do is to obtain a slick of caustic potash of the drugg : at, straddle the calf’s neck (preferab’y before he is more than two weeks old), wet the horn spot witli water, and rub with the end of the potash stick. A little experience will show how long to rub, or when the hair begins to loosen may be taken as a guide. The peculiar action of the potash will arrest horn development without the loss of a drop of blood. One precaution only is necessary : wrap a paper round the potash so as to protect the fingers. For simplicity, cheapness, and efficacy, the potash method has advantages over all others.

Living on His Wits.—A new celebrity is making his appearance along the Paris boulevards. He is a well-dressed, in-telligent-looking youth, who saunters along the terrasses of the principal cafes, scanning the faces of the habitues until he catches sight of one that strikes hia fancy. Doffing his hat politely, he thus accosts the gentleman he has singled out: “ Will monsieur be good enough to ask me any question he pleases relating to the history of France from the time of Pharatnond down to Napoleon 111. ? I can tell monsieur the day, even the hour, of the birth, marriage, or death, of any historical personage." In nine cases out of ten this walking encyclopaedia has so well chosen his man that the “monsieur” thus addressed pu ts to him a number of questions, all of which are answered correctly and instantly, to the astonishment of the persons around, and to the profit of the inventor of this novel method of earning a livelihood.

Presentation at Gapes’s Valley. On Friday evening last a large number of the residents of Qapea’s Valley assembled in the schoolroom for the purpose of making a presentation to Miss Menzies on ihe occasion of her leaving the Gapes’s Valley school to take up the position of mistress at the Ivakahu Bush school. Mr Wreaths!!, on behalf of the subscribers presented to Miss Meazies a very 'pretty tea service and cruet stand, at the same time expressing a wish that she would not v .lue their gift by its intrinsic; worth, but rather as a tribute of their esteem and regard, and as a mark of their appreciation of the services she had rendered during her stay at the Gapes’s Valley school Miss Menzies feel ng y responded, and in doing so said she was deepUy grateful for the present they had so kindly given her ■rad which she would always value as a memento of the kindly feelings shown to her by friends she was about to leave. A dance followed, interspersed by Songs. Ample refreshments were provided by Meadamea Love and Bray. After an enjoyable evening bad been spent, ‘ Auld Lang Syne’ w a6 sung, and the company separated ebprtjy after midnight.

Further information from Pnhipuhi confirms the statement as to the discovery of valuable stone from the Tupone claim. The stuff shows gold plainly, and is claimed to be very rich in silver chlorides,