LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2149, 13 January 1891, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Aobangi.—The Aorangi left Plymouth for New Zealand -via way ports on Saturday. Goal Export. —The coal export from Westport for the week ending Saturday night was 3810 tons. Nex Rich.—The will of the late Mr S. P. Parnell, founder of the eight hours’ system, was proved at less than £750. Furniture Sale. —Messrs Mundell and Go. advertise a sale of furniture at their offices, Temaka, to-day, on account of Mr M. Soannell.

Homeward Bound. The barque R&kaia has sailed from Oamaru for London with a cargo of wool, oats, and barley, valued at £45,060.

Resigned,—The Hon. Sir William Fitzherbert, K.C.M.G., Speaker of the Legislative Council, has resigned his appointment owing to increasing deafness.

Temuka Monthly Sale. —The fortnightly sale of stock at Temaka takes place 10-day, Messrs H. B. Webster & Go., and Cox and Guiuneas advertise entries.

The Drought,— lt is said that many plantations on the plains towards Christchurch have suffered severely from the drought. Scores of pious insignia are withered off, and others are dying. The Waimakariri. —The river Waimakariri is encroaching seriously on the north road, near White's Bridge. There is no danger to Christchurch, bub considerable to road aud railway. The repairs will cost about £6OO.

Supposed Poisoning Case. —Hewson Maxwell Bradgate, a chemist, of Parnell, formerly of Coromandel, was found dead in his shop, Manukau road, yesterday morning. A post mortem has been ordered as it is sup> posed to be a case of poisoning. A Mean Theft. During Thursday night some thief stole seven- purebred Plymouth Rock fowls from the premises of Mrs Driscoll, High Street, K&iapoi, replacing the stolen birds with an equal number of inferior brad ones. The action of the thief in this case is the more despicable as the owner has to earn her family’s livelihood by her own labor.— Press.

Drowned. The first officer of the barque Ganymede, named John Lord, was found drowned at Oamaru on Sunday morning in a pool of water near the cross wharf. Ho had been in town on Saturday night, and It is supposed he was returning to his ship when he fell into the water. The night was very dark. Deceased leaves a wife and three children in the Old Country.

Educational Institute.— At the meeting of this institute at Auckland on Friday it was resolved—“ That tha attention of the Minister for Education be called to tha alleged unnecessary multiplication of schools in several educational districts, to the withdrawal from the maintenance fund of large sums of money for school building purposes, and to the consequent hardship to teachers in the serious diminution of salaries.'’

’Frisco Mail Service.— The Government have received advices from the agent ’Frisco and the United States Postal Department pointing to a probable passage of tha tonnage bill devoting a subsidy of 60,000 dollars per annum to a fortnightly mail service to New Zealand, or 30,000 for a monthly service. The president in his address dwelt strongly on the necessity for Congress to stir in the matter. Fallen Through. —The Reefton petition lodged by Mr Drake against the return of Mr Reeves as member for Inaugahua has collapsed owing to the non-compliance with sub-sections three and four of “ The Election Petitions Act, 1880,” which provides that security to the extent of £2OO shall be given by the petitioner for possible expenses within three days after the petition has been lodged.

Life at Sea. —At Auckland the second cook on board the Wakatipu, T. J. North, prosecuted Charles Jacobs, steward, for assault. North stated in evidence that his life on board the vessel had been one of continual misery, because nearly all on board were unionists and he was not. He was subjected to daily persecution, sometimes having to sleep on deck from fear. If something were not done he felt sure he would be drowned. The case was dismissed.

Correction.— In our report of the flower show a mistake occurred. It was stated that the maps other than the one which was accorded first prize came from the Timaru Convent. This was a mistake. They came from the Temnka Convent, >nd the maps made by Masters Thomas Brosnaban and Thomas Spillane were highly eommended— and deservedly so, as they were exceedingly well done. The prize for the moat points in cut flowers was a wheelbarrow, presented by Mr D. Henry, and went to Mr Dow, of Timaru,

Suicide or a Girl.— The Orient liner Lusitania arrived at Plymouth the other day, with a sad tale. Mias B. McKnight, who embarked at Melbourne, and was coming to England in order to be married, was observed to be mush depressed in spirits, and when the vessel had been a week or two at sea she was heard more than once expressing her regrets that she had consented to the match. When the Lusitania was between Perim and Suez, at half-past ten on the night of November 3rd, Miss McKnight suddenly broke off an apparently pleasant conversation with some of her fellow-passengers, mounted the rail, and leaped into the sea. The ship was stopped and a boat lowered, but though the search was continued for a couple of hours nothing was seen of the young lady. It is believed she was snapped up by a shark.

Fires.— At Dunedin on Friday night the pramisea of W. A. Smith, draper, George Street, caught fire, and with the contents were greatly damaged. The value of the stock is estimated at £4OO, and the insurances amount to £l5O. Laurie and Company’s confectionery manufactory and cottage at Newmarket, Auckland, v/aa destroyed by fire last Thursday night. The damage is estimated at* £IOOO, and is about half covered by insurance in the South British.—Bush and grass fires have been raging lately in the vicinity of Masterton. A numbor of residences were burned, among them a 10-roomed one belonging to Mr J. G. Moore on Teoreore (Insured for £1000). The residences of Messrs Tinners, Vaughan, Hoffman and Pond were destroyed. The fire, which originated on Saturday on the upper plain, did an enormous amount of damage. Two miles of country were devastated, fences, stock, and houses falling a prey to the fhmes. Heavy rains fell on Saturday night and subdued the Himes to such an extent that further damage was averted.

Found Dead.—William Reekie, a miner at New River, West Coast, was found dead yesterday morning. Found Dbownbd.—The body of William Parker, the missing Auckland settlor, has been found at Waikato heads.

Tembka Rifles.—A parade of this corps will be held to-morrow evening, after which a meeting will take place. Narrow Esoafb.—A man named Wilkinson, working in the hold of the ship Oban Bay, bad a bale of wool dropped on him at Oamaru. He is severely injured, but not fatally. Geraldine County Acclimatisation Society.—A meeting ef the Council of the Geraldine County Acc'imatisation Society will be he’d this afternoon at the Crown Hotel, Temuka, at 4 o’clock.

Geraldine Flower Show.—The show on Thursday next will be opened by the member tor the district, Mr A. E. G. Rhodes, at half-past 2 o’clock. At present everything promises a marked success. Wrestling.—in our advertising columns Mr S. Thornley accepts Mr J. H. Uru’s conditions re the proposed Cumberlaud wrestling contest. The match Will lake place in the Temuka Volunteer Hell on Saturday evening at 8 o’c’ook. A Sion of the Times.—A. great many farmers in this district are having sheafcarriers attached to their reapers and binders this year, the shortness of the crops allowing of this bandy contrivance being used with much advantage.

Board Meetings. The adjourned monthly meeting of the Geraldine Town Board will be held this evening. Tomorrow evening the adjourned monthly meeting of the Temuka Town Board and the monthly meeting of the Arowhenua Town Board will be held.

Accident. — A lad named Greedy, bod of Mr Greedy, of Milford, got his leg broken last Saturday. He was with bis father, who was ploughing on Mr Quinn's farm, and somehow got his leg caught in the plough, with the above result. He was removed to the Timaru hospital. R;M. Court, Timaen.— At the R.M. Court, Timaru, yesterday, James Liddell and Jane Twithwick ware sentenced to a month’s imprisonment for indecency, and fined. 4s each for drunkenness* W. McKinnon, for drunkenness, was fined 20s and costs, and a first offender for a similar offence 6s and coats. Four others wer let off.

Political.' —The Premier returns to Wellington to-uighf. Mr Richardson has returned. It is not likely that any decision will be come to this week respecting the speakership of the Council. It appeals that Mr Filzherbarl’s resignation was sent some daya ago, but was kept secret. Members of the Cabinet at Wellington knew nothing about it. Small Birds’ Pest. —The closing of the schools, and the consequent releasing of hundreds of schoolboys all over the district, has resulted in a very large quantity of small birds’ eggs and beads being collected and brought to the Geraldine Road Board office for sale. During the month the clerk has paid away the sum of £lB 16i Id on this account.

A Runawat. —Yesterday morning a horse harnessed to a trap that was standing unattended in front of Dr Hayes’s residence made a bolt for it, and went off at a fairly smart pace down the main road. When opposite the Temuea Leaer office, however, it steadied down to a walk, and was then stopped by Mr W. Matthews, who availed himself of a youth’s services to have it taken hick to his owner, who no doubt was glad matters turned out no worse.

The Avon Stkamee. —A company has just placed a small steamer on the Avon to run between Christchurch and New Brighton. Last week she made her first trip successfully, and on Saturday night was moored apparently all right at New Brighton. On Sunday morning, however, it was found that the boat had sunk at her moorings, through a plug being left open. Whether the plug was left open by accident, or was opened purposely by some mischievous person, is unknown.

A Strange Stort. —A Kansas telegram dated oth November says:—“A most remarkable romance came to light to-day. Twenty-five years ago two babies, brother and sister, were abandoned in Castle Garden, New York city, by their parents. They were adopted by different people. The girl lived with her foster-mother, Mrs Evans, Philadelphia. The boy was adopted by a man named Barr, and learned a trade and went to Philadelphia. There ho met Miss Evans, fell in love with her, and in due course of time they were married and came to Kansas oity to live. A couple of years ago Mrs Evans died, and soon after a relation in Canada died, and died intestate, leaving a large fortune. Detectives in search for Mrs Evans’ adopted child discovered the story, and told it to Mr and Mrs Barr. No issue has resulted from the marriage. Legal proceedings will at once be taken to annul it. The brother and sister will then take possession of the fortune,”

Temperance Entertainment at WaxT.mi, —On Friday evening a number of the workers in connection with thoTrmuka Presbyterian Band of Hope and Temperance Society gave an interesting entertainment in the Waitohi Schoolroom, for the purpose of inaugurating another branch of the society. The meeting, which was weli attended, was presided over by the Rev. J. Dickson, who, in a few well chosen words, pressed upon the audience the claims of the Temperance movement and the object of the meeting. The following programme was rendered in a very superior manner, more especially did the items given by I he younger performers reflect great credit on themselves and on their energetic conductor, Mies Goodey Recitation, ‘Boys Wanted,' Master F. Hooper ; Recitation, 1 Girls Wanted,’ Miss Amy Cooper ; glee, ‘Temperance Lifeboat,’ Band of Hope choir; dialogue, ‘Troubled with Indigestion,’ Masters Q. Melsen and F. Freddy ; recitation, ! Going to Market,’ Miss M. Bryant; Song, ‘ For Mother’s Sake,’ Miss Eva Goodey ; part recitation, ‘ How do Rosea Grow ?’ Misses Emma and Amy Cooper ; ‘ Sandy Jamieson,’ Mr R. McCully ; glee, ‘ Love at Home,’ Band of Hope choir; dialogue, ‘ Silly Sat,’ Misses E. Goodey, F. Storey, and B. Crnickshank ; recitation, Miss Emma Cooper; recitation, ‘Jim «nd the Jackass,’ Mias B. Cruickshank ; glee, ‘ Stand like the Brave,’ Band of Hope Choir. After the programme was completed a large number came forward and had their names enrolled as members of the society. The meeting was then brought to a close by the chairman proimunc ng the benediction, and all went home in high splits, delighted with the success of the gathering. ,

Trial.—A (rial of Mr 0. Squire’s newly-patented '•* Draught-pole Steadier” takes place on his , farm, Gapes’a Valley, to-morrow. Every farmer knows that in rough ground the swaying l of the pole of a reaper and binder is considerable, and forelegs of the pole-horses—more especially of the near horse—get considerably bruised and knocked about by the pole. Mr Squire’s invention prevents the swaying, and thus saves the horses severe punishment. It will be tried to-morrow on a pieee of rough ground at 2 o’clock p.m., when doubtless there will he a good many farmers present.

School Treat.—The annual treat in connection with this Racgitata South School was held on Friday last, in the schoolground, and was largely attended by children, parents and friends. The children were engaged in running races and in playing games of different kinds, and a most enjoyable day was spent. In the evening Mr Irwin distributed the prizes, and spoke a few words in reference to the prizes and the recent examination. The following is the prize list—Standard YI — Mary Taylor. Standard V—Ada Dalton, 1; Edith Taylor, 2 ; Walter Kelly, 3, Standard IV—Mary Oadwallader, lj 0-norge Oadwallader, 3 ; Thomas Oadwallader 3. Standard lll—Sarah Waller, 1; Albert Dalton, 2 ; Isabel Taylor, 3 ; Joseph Looker, 4. Standard ll—-Robert Kelly, 1 ; Ague# Taylor, 2 ; Fanny Oadwallader, 3. Standard I —Earnest Waller. Infants—James Gadwallador, W. Kelley, G. Looker, J. Waller, W. Looker, M. Taylor. A dance vrim held in the schoolroom in the evening and was largely attended.

The London' Eex,lkingiir;S at Qxiuldine. —The largest audience yet aeon in the Volunteer Hall, Geraldine, wan that which asaemb’ed there on Saturday night, when the London Bellringers and the Faust Family opened for one night only. The company came with an excellent reputation, . and those who bed witnessed the humorous and acrobatic excellence of the Funst Family with ChiarimiV Circus some six years ago naturally looked forward to a treat, nor were they disappointed. The London Bellringers are in foot the Fausts, under the leadership of Herr von Mehden, the distinguished N cornet soloist. The latter is a cultured musician and a perfect master of the cornet. The fact was well demonstrated on Saturday evening by the manner in which be played the leading part of the overture ‘ Welcome,’ with which the quintette brass band opened the programme. ‘ Mama’s Baby Boy/ a comic song by Victor Faust, fcbe youngem member of the family, was capita ly rendered, but tbs words were almost inaudible owing to the acoustio defects of the room, which is unlioed. Most of the songs, in fact, were spoilt, owing to this,, ‘ The Matsellaise/ played by the Bellringers on the bells, was one of the most enjoj'able performances of the evening. 4 Ring the Bell, Watchmem ’ was also given, and, in response to an imperative encore, 1 Rule Britannia ’ was played. A Yorkshire impersonation by Gas Lynch prsvoked a good deal of laughter. Herr von Mehden then gave the audience a real treat in the cornet solo ‘ The Death of Nelson.’ Th® other instrumentalists played an accompaniment behind (he scenes with excellent effect. This was an exceptionally enjoyable item, the forte and piano passages of the beautiful composition being brought out in a manner that showed the player’s complete mastery over bis instrument. He was accorded a hearty and welldeserved round of applause. Mr Eugene was uproariously applauded for his rendition (in character) of the comic song 44 Good Old Mary Aon.” His make-up was immense. An item appearing on the programme as 11 The Art of Music ” was iPone of the most ludicrous ever seen in Geraldine. The performers were the brothers F. and E. Faust. They are both skilled violinists, us indeed they would require to be to carry amt this really - wonderful performance, whiah needs to be seen to be appreciated. The way in which they tumbled about the stage, turned eomemn ts over each other, waltzed round playing on each olheit’a violins, and performed a number of deter acrobatic feats without losing lime or tune wasindeed a marvel not onlyofmusical skill but also of tumbling. They were imperatively recalled, when another exhibition of their extraordinary cleverness w«s given, the most surprising being the performance of one of the> brothers, who, after holding his bow between bis knees and the violin in his hands, and playing ‘The Carnival do Venice, ’ placed one end of his bon upon the ft >or, and, working bio whole body, be rasped away as if hard at work sawiog through « log, retaining at thu same time all the air and notes cf the music, it is a'most needless to add that this performance brought down the house. Mr Gus Lynch cmusadl the audience a hearty laugh by his Irish impersonations. As gymnasts (be Fausa brothers are simply perfect. The performance of Messrs Edward, Eugene, »nd Victor on Saturday night was certainly the cleverest seen in Geraldine. Iho second part of the performance was equally as good as the first. ‘ I'he Bluebells of Scotland, ’ played on the bells with variations was a very choice musical item, The duet on the mandoline and guitar by Mr Ton Faust and Herr von Mehden was exquisitely sweet and was heartily encored, the recall being responded to with the ever popular air ‘ Coma Back to Erin.’ Messrs Guo Lynch and Eugene, in their Irish specially ‘ The Two Mclntyre's,’ took immensely, although the song was spoilt owing to the defect of the room mentioned above. The conundrums, etc,, were, however, all fresh and most mirth-provoking. Herr yon Mehdeu’s performance on the wine glasses, as well as on the xylophone and other instruments, was a very clever one. The brothers Faust convulsed the audience with their burlesque musical act, playing the bassoon and clarionette. The final pantomime sketch, ‘ The School Days of Nicholas Nikleby,’ fairly coiavulsad the audience with laughter. The amusement provided by the company is certainly of a really first-b ass order. While there is a great amount of fun and drollery there ia also some genuine high class music. The acrobatic performances are of the very first order. The tone of the entertainment is also exceptionally good. At the conclusion Herr von Mehden announced that the company ' wou'd again visit Geraldine for one night as they c«me b«ck from doing the south part of the island. —ln Temuka last evening they were received enthusiastically by an ovtrorowded house, whesi they repeated the programme given in Geraldine. Every item was loudly applauded, and encores were fnquent. Judging by the reception given to the company the audience were delighted with the pet. formance.

Oxtb Dbm»ob3.-—Captain Moore, R.N., who represented the Admiralty in the conference with the commandants of the colonial, forces mg to the defence of King Gloorge’e Sound and Thursday Island, arrived at Wellington on Tuesday from Sydney. He Intends to upend the next two or three months touring in New Zealand, and on Wedneocloy inspected the Wellington defence works and oppressed admiration for the manner in which the guns are mountud. Ho leaves for Lyttelton en route for the southern lakes and mountains. 1 Tub New Tw«.— The Timaru Harbor Board’s new tug Mana arrived in port on Saturday evening, hairing sailed! from Greenock on 8:h August. She waig sailed out, and experienced fi.no weather. Her shipper. Captain Ohenoweth, reports bar to have pi over! a first-class sea boat. The Mana was built by the well-known firm of Fleming and Fergusson, Paisley; is of Htieel, and has a transverse frame, also of Qteel. SILc i? 120 feet long;; has o beam of 22 feat, and a depih of hold of 12 feet, She in “ clinker ” built; has fouir bulkheads and two water ballast tanka of a capacity of 42 tone. She haa a displacement of 367 tons —4 tonii to the inch, and her gross tonnage under deck is 195—-the reduced registered tonnage being 50.56. The length of the engine room is 42 feet. She has a roomy comfortably-fittecl-op cabin. The engines are a marvel of strength and the latest improved for tugboats. The propelling mriehinory consists of two nets of disconnecting compound surface-condensing diagonal engines, to indicate about 600 horee-power. The high pressure cylinders are 18 inches in diameter ; the low pressure 36 inches and the length of stroke 3(5 inches. An independent condenser and & steam reversing engine are provided with each pair of engines. A steel clutch fitted on the crank abaft between the two cranks enables the engines to be readily disconnected. When this is donei either engine is free to go ahead or astern os may be required, and in this way the vessel is easily and quickly turned. All the handles for working both Bets of engines are brought to one place on the standing platform, so that one man can jßttend to this duty with perfect ease, bteaaa is supplied by a multilobular boiler 14 feat. 6 inches in diameter and 9 feet 6 inches long, which is officially certified to work np to a pressure of 1001 b to the squure inch, .Her speed is 10 knots ao hour in ballast. The engines are all ready for the steam being turned on, and the paddle boxes and other gear ready to drop into place. In the engine-room is a very powerful fire engine, made by Scott and do., of the Globe Works, Newcastle on Tyne, and in the event of a fire on the wharves or io case of having to pump the tug or any other ship it would bo found of the greatest assistance. In the koilorroom there is,' in addition to the main boiler, a" donkey boiler to supply steam to the auxiliary esgines. On deck forward of the engine-room there is a winch of the most powerful kind ; there are two powerful hooks on the towing loop, and also another loop for coiling io the tow or any other rope. The tug will be steered from the bridge.

A Spbing Cle^xiho. —Mr Cooper, of Temuka, ha* juat completed his contract for painting, papering; and repairs to the G-sraldirie Koad Board offices and dwelling house. The building has been thoroughly painted inside and oat* The rooms hare been newly papered, the office painted inside, the woodwork freshly grained and varnished, the brickwork outside painted, and pointed with white, and the whole building thoroughly renovated and made to look very bright and fresh.

SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS. Lost—A lady’s silver bracelet. Hugh Flannery, Arowbenno—Notice re Blrayed pig. . , , , Swanoy Bros,—lnvUe Issuers for stocking and forking. Temuka Rifles—Parade and meeting to-morrow evening. S, Thornley—Notice to Mr J. H. W. Uru re wrestling. Geraldine County Acolimatuiatioo Sociaty—Meeting of Council this afternoon. J. Brown, Beehiye Stores, Temuka—ls now offering great bargiina in drapery and clothing, and quotes slaughterin g prices ; Tim am prices for all harvest requisites. Henrj' Connell, of Oamaru*—Will be at Brendley’a Orari Hotel from Saturday until Monday next, re the purchase of potatoes, oats, ryegrass, cocksfoot, peas, etc.