LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2154, 24 January 1891, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Practical Sympathy. —Miss Walker, a Sydney lady, has donated £IOO to the funds of the Dunedin Kindergarten Association.

Temuka Stock Sale. —The fortnightly sale of b ocE at Temuka takes place on Tuesday, for which the auctioneers are now booking entries. Harbor Board Election. — In our advertising columns will be found notices regarding the election of members to represent the Temuka, Mount Peel,and Geraldine Road Districts on the Timaru Haibor,* Board, Social. —An installation social in connection with the Oddfellows’ Lodge, Geraldine, has been arranged to take place in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Friday evening next. Admission tickets are now being disposed of. Oef to Tasmania. Says the Otago Daily Times :—“ Some ,60 laborers left by the Union Company’s Walrarapa yesterday, to work at the Zeehan railway contract, in Tasmania. These, together with the 22 men who left by the Banks Peninsula, make up a total of 82, and Mr J. R. Scott, has still the names of some 80 applicants on his books who are to leave by the next boat.” Dummyism. —The Otago Land Board has been investigating the leases of five small grazing runholders. As a result one lease is to be forfeited, the holder admitting he was working the place in conjunction with the adjoining run held by his brother, and his father’s house was his headquarters. Further inquiry is to be made into the bona fidss of two of the leases.

Regatta. —At the Wellington Regatta on Thursday the Champion Yacht Race was woo by the Mascotte, a Lyttel'oo boat, by Train 4toaec. The Mina, a Wellington representative, was second. The Pastime, another Lyttelton boat, and the lariffa, leca, and GiorfU, Wellington boats, also started. The Auckland yacht Maritana did not get down in time to compete. The Costlet Institute.— The annual report of the Gostiey Institute, Auckland, shows thirty-five boys have been maintained at the institution at a cost of £24 Gs 2d per head, and seven girls boarded out. The earnings - of the boys apprenticed but makes an average contribution to the funds of the institution of £8 7s 5d per head, reducing the total cost on the funds of the institution to £ls 19s 2d per head.

Postal Irregularities.— ln reference to the paragraph which appeared a few days ago concerning irregularities in the postal arrangements between Temnka and Geraldine we find that we were wrong in attributing any of the blame to the Geraldine office. We fell into this error owing to having received inaccurate information from a quarter which we thought trustworthy. The railway travelling postoffice is to blame, but not the Geraldine office.

Fire at Asowbenua.— About 1 o’clock yesterday morning a fire occurred on the premises of Mr Daniel King, of Maude street, Arowhenua, which destroyed a quantity of firewood and caused the death of a couple of pigs. About the time mentioned Mrs King was awakened by the noise the pigs were making, and aroused her husband, who found that a quantity of firewood stored against the pigstye was on fire, and that the pigs were being roasted to death. He quickly called his neighbours, and with (heir willing help the fire was subdued, but a large quaetity of firewood, etc., was burnt, and the pigs had to be destroyed. This is the second fire Mr King has been the victim of within a few months, as a short time ago an old house belonging to h'ra stored with bacon, potatoes, harneas, etc,, was burned with its contents. The origin of the fire is a mystery. Mr King can ill aff >rd the loss he has sustoiaed.

Legislauve Appointments.—The following is a copy of the memorial presented to the Governor by the Oppoaitioo on the subject of the Legislative appointments : —“To His Excellency,—We, the undersigned members of the House of Representatives of Ndw Z-aland, desire respectfully to bring under Your Excellency’s notice the fact that statements have appeared in the public prints to the effect that Ministers have advised Your Excellency to call a number of gentlemen to the Legislative Council prior to the opening of Parliament, As representatives of the people of New Zinland, we beg to state—(l) That Your Excellency’s present advisers are now resigcing office ; (2) that the people of the colony are without doubt opposed to any more immediate appointments to the Council, especially as at present constituted ; (S) that such appointments will, if made, be in direct opposition to an agreement come to between Your Excellency’s Ministers and the House of Representatives, and also to the report of the Committee adopted by the Legislative Council." A prominent member of the Opposition party informed a correspondent of an exchange that if the memorial is ineff-ctual in preventing the confirmation of ‘he Legislative Council appointments the party will at Dice communicate with the Colonial Office complaining of the action of the Governor in consenting to make the appointments in the existing circumstances. A “ Sell ” —The large sale of furniture and housebol I eff .cts advertised by Messrs J. Mundell and Go, to lake place at Moana yesterday atlracted a number of buyers from all over the district, including Timmi. Two days before the advertised date of the sda the owner cf the goods had taken refuge in the Bankruptcy Court, and yesterday morniog it was whispered about that the Deputy Official Assignee had obtained an injunction from the court to stop ihe sale, pending inquiry into the valifity of a certain hill of sale. At eleven o’clock, the time advertised for starting the sale, there were a good many people present, and shortly afier that hour, the auctioneer, Mr Mundell, informed those present that while regretting very much that those who had attended had been disappointed he was pleased at the satisfactory turn affairs had taken, and the sale wou'd not now be held. Mr D. M. Ross, the Deputy Official Assignee, in a very pleasant manner informed the public of the steps that had been taken, and of the reason why the sale would not be held. He regretted that no luncheon w»s forthcoming, and expressed a hope that those present had enjoyed their outing. After waiting about for a short lime the people left, evidently feeling that ' the only tiring “sold” was the crowd. ,

Wellington Races. —At the Wellington Race* on Thursday there were about 1 3000 spectators. Prime Warden won the Anniversary and Welter Handicaps, Ixion the Hurdles, Cynisoa the Wellington Cup (1£ miles, in 2min. 40sec., dividend £lO 6s), Cretonne the Nursery Handicap, and Lullaby the Telegraph Handicap. The sum of £8072 passed through the total isators.

Samoan News. News from Samoa Ba y a; _The German flagship at Samoa saluted Malietoa as king, thus completing the public recognition of his rights by all powers. Mr Justice Cederkranz was enthusiastically received on his arrival, and created * favorable impression. A sailor belonging to the lioqnois was brutally murdered at Pagopago Bay. The body was dismembered. A shipmate was arrested on suspicion. District Court, Oamaru. —At the District Court sittings at Oamaru on Wednesday A. K. Semb pleaded guilty to forgery, and got two years. He is an old offender. Thos. Rowe was acquitted of the charge of attempt to commit rape on a girl thirteen years of age. A bankrupt had his certificate suspended for six months because it was shown that while his capital was £7BO he had possessed himself largely of Nenthorne mining shares, hoping to sell them before calls were made, but failing to do so filed. The judge held that this was hazudons speculation.

Blundering of the Justice Department.—At the District Court, Hokitika, on Thursday, before Judge Broad, Michael Jackson, an accommodation house keeper on the Christchurch road, was charged with perjury. Mr MaoFarlane, R.M., who gave evidence, produced his appointment from the Governor, dated December 25ih. Me MaoFarlane was appointed a magistrate in February last, but through some stupid oversight of the Justice Department no warrant of bis appointment was made or signed by the Governor. It appeirs that the Gazette notice was also neglected, and in consequence all Mr MacPariane’a judicial acts from February Ist to December 25th are bad, and it will be necessary to pass a. Validation Act, if that will remove the difficulty. Id Jackson’s case Judae Broad directed the jury to return a verdict of “ not guilty,” and the case was not gone into.

Science Association.— At the meeting of the Association for the Advancement of Science at Christchurch on Wednesday papers were read in various sections. The biological section passed a resolution recommending that Little Barrier Island and Resolution Island, in Dusky Sound, be set apart as reserves where the native flora and fauna of New Zealand may be preserved from extinction. The section also adopted a report recommending that collections in museums should be arranged with a view to the requirements of the general public, in whom no special knowledge of the subjects illustrated should be assumed. In the economic science section a paper on “ A Plea for Women’s Rights’' was read by Mrs M. A. Clark, who expressed confidence that the day was at hand when such important questions as divorce legislation, legitimacy of children, voting qualifications, separate rights of property, and the myriad matters affecting the relations of the sexes would be equitably adjusted. A large number of ladies attended the meetings of the association, but Mrs Clark was the only one who read a paper. On Thursday the Recommendation Committee recommended the reappointment of a number of sectional committees, and this was adopted. A letter was read from the directors of the Union Company stating their willingness to adjust aoy overcharge to members for the Sounds trip. Votes of thanks were accorded to the Government for the liberal recognition and assistance given, to the chairman of the Canterbury College, the chapter and choir of the Cathedral, the directors of the Freezing Works and Kaiapoi Woollen Factory, the Railway Commissioners, and to the daily journals for the completeness of their reports of the proceedings. The meeting also expressed their gratification at the kind and courteous reception accorded to members. This concluded the business.

A New Fertiliser.—There is at present on view at Messrs H. B. Webster and Co.’s, Geraldine and Winchester, a fertiliser which, although new in this district, is attracting a deal of attention in Victoria and New South Wales at the present time, owing to the excellent results which have been obtained by its use. The manure referred to ia “ Kainit,’’ or German potash salt, a id its use in the colonies above mentioned has been attended with such success that the Government of both colonies have had men placed at the head of departments to arrange for farmers getting the chemical. Over one hundred thousand tons of Kainit were sold in North America alone last season, which will give some idea of the demand there is for it. Basing their calculations on the result of large experiments, the Victorian farmers reckon that by the use of Kainit land which has hT.herto produced from 10 to 12 bushels per acre will be made to yield from 20 to 25 bushels. The manure, which contains a very large proportion of potash, is the product of the mine, and looks for all the world like ro much salt. It is manufactured by August Blumthal, Hamburg. Every crop takes a certain amount of potash out of the ground, some taking far more than others, and the aim of the farmer should be to put the potash back again, Turnips, for instance, take an immense amount of potash out of the soil, and clover does the same. Every farmer knows that turnips do wed on tussock land, but that after clover they do no good at all, Kainit should never be used alone, but should be mixed with superphosphates. It has this additional advantage that it makes superphosphates run well in a drill, whereas at present a good deal of difficulty is experienced in dealing with some manures owing to their not running well in the drill. There ia no doubt that the question of systematic manuring ot the soil ia one that is daily becoming of more and more importance in iS'.Z. Messrs Webster and Co. have realised this, and are devoting very special attention to the manure department of their business. They have already disposed of about 300 tons this season. The shipment of Kainit just to hand is only a trial one, but the firm are so well satisfied that they are making arrangements for next season for shipments amounting to several thousand pounds in value. Being the sole agents in the colony for this valuable manure they expect to have a large demand, and I are therefore making every preparation to I meet it, ‘

Poaohin®. —Trout poaching is common in the Halt, Wellington. Recently a wateh was kept, and two men were canght running a net across the river. They will be prosecuted. —At the R.M. Court, Rangiora, on Tuesday, James Kennedy, janr., was fined £5 and costs for fishing for trout without a license. Several fishes were found in his possession.

SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS. M. Scannell, Temuki—Wants a thoroughly competent engine-driver. J. Kelland—lnvites tenders for erecting 153 chains standard and wire fence. Oddfellows’ Lodge, Geraldine —Advertise installation social on Friday evening next.

A. E. Cox and E. R. Goinnesa—Sell sheep, cattle and pigs at Temnka sale on Jan. 27. Geraldine Road District—Notice re election of member to represent district on Timaru Harbor Board. Mount Peel Road District—Notice re election of member to represent district on Timun Harbour Board. Temnka Road District—Notice re election of member to represent district on Timaru Haibor Board. J. Mundell & Co.— Advertise entries of sheep, cattle and pigs for Temnka fortnightly sale on Tuesday next. In bankruptcy—Re Byrne Buley, of Geraldine, farmer; first meeting of creditors in Timaru on Tuesday next.