LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2193, 25 April 1891, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Suicide. —A Maori named Papeta committed suicide at Tairua, Auckland, by hanging himself to the rafters of his whare. Lucky Triggers. Two brothers at Criffel obtained between 1100 and 1200 ounces of gold for eight weeks continuous washing, A Nuisance. Nelson district is becoming overrun with stoats and weasels. It is said that in one place cats are destroying them. Accident.. — During a sham fight between the volunteers at Kor'h Shore Co ar-Sergoant Taylor, of the City Guards, received a charge of blank cartridge in the face, and will, it is feared, lose the sigh of his left eye.

WBStBTAN Ohttboh, Tbmdka.—-The Rev. J. Dellow will conduct the morning and I evening services in the above church tomorrow, and will preach at Waitohi in the al ternoon. 'Vaitohi Water Race. —The special Older with regard to the annually recurr ng water rate to be levied on the Waitohi Fat Water Supply District appears in another column. Shearers and Laborers Union The half-yearly meeting of the Geraldine branch of the Amalgamated Shearers and Laborers Union takes place in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Geraldine, this evening. 00-o?eration, —At a meeting of the Trades Council at Wellington it was decided to convey thanks to the Minister of Public Works for introducing the cooperative system amongst the unemployed, and suggested that if the system proves a success, he should introduce it in larger works. Householder's Meeting, —On Monday evening the annual meetings of householders for the election of school committees will take place. Where only seven candidates have been nominated, the business will be confined to the consideration of.the report of the outgoing corncommittee. The Weather. —Last evening towards nightfall the weather got unseasonably warm, the thermometer rising to 70 in the office of ibis paper. For the past 24 hours there have been indications of a change, and we expect that rain is not far off. It is rattier late now to do much good, but at the same time it must be said that it was seldom more wanted. Ketkenchhent,—Retrenchment has reached Gera'dine, where Mr 0. E. Sherralt ceases to bold the position of Clerk of the Court. The work has been thrown on the shoulders of Constable Willoughby. Mr Sherratt has been Clerk of the Court for the last 16 years, and has received a small compensation for the loss of office. During the many years Mr Sherratt has held the position he gave general satisfaction and many will regret his retirement.

Large Potatoes. —Messrs Comer and Larcombe brought to the office of this ■p-ip-T last evening ten largo potatoes, which weighed over 241bs. Five were what ate called “Jumbos,” and weighed 12£ib. They were grown by Mr Hide, on Clarendon Farm, Winchester, but these wore not the largest there, (Joe potato grown by Mr Hide weighed 4'b, so that 560 such potatoes would weigh a ton. This beats the record, Mr Hide also beat the record with sunflowers. A Wondbebtjl Esgape. —A traveller from Wesport to Jteefton reports the miraculous escape of a hawker named, Sewell, proprietor of a van known as Noah’s Ark, which paddles between Nelson and Westport, The vara and three horses fell over a precipice between 80 and 100 feet deep, near Hawke’s Craig, into the Buller river, dwell also fell over, but the scrub broke his fall. Two of the horses were seen in the water and the third swimming across the river, The van was smashed, but 8e«ell escaped on to the road with only his head cut. The road contractors hastened to his assintence. It is not known whether the horses have escaped.

Howards Digging Plough. — A trial of Howard’s digging plough was held at Saltwater Creek on Thursday. The plough was first set to work in a stubble paddock. The work done was admired by all, the thick snrface of sorrel weeds being completely buried, leaving a well broken surface. The draught of the plough was considered to be very light, 4 inches of good subsoil being brought to the surface. The plough was afterwards taken to a very stiff piece of land in front of the salsyards which had never been broken up for 20 years, and which was like a well beaten track. Here again the plough made satisfactory work. A number of orders for the plough were given. Entertainment —On Tuesday evening U'-xt Professor Hariz, assisted by Madame Hartz and Mr Hazel, will give on entertainment in the Yo'untaer Hall, Tomuka. We have read a number of criticisms of thair entertainment, and if it is anything like what it is represented to be tbs people of Temuka may look forwaid to an excellent evening’s amusement. Tbs perfsrmanoe consists of conjurors’ tricks, which are pronounced to be extremely novel and clever. Madame Hirlz is very clever at clairvoyance, and Mr Hazel is an excellent ventriloquist. The entertainmerit, is highly amusiog, and the audience , is kept in roars of laughter all the time. In addition to this a large number of gifia will be distributed. The Ashburton Mail says-T-“ At the close a number of valuable prizes were distributed amongst the audience by two gentlemen selected by themselves from their number. Mb Siddon and the Unemployed.— The Miners’ Conference now sitting in Greymoulb has telegraphed to the Minister of Public Works thanking the Government and him especially for providing work for the unemployed by engnging them on productive works on the co-operative principle. Mr Seddon sent a reply ssying that the Government recognise tbat they would not bare been doing their duty to tha people of Now Zealand unless they provided work for those temporarily out of employment', and states that he is assuredd that the cooperative system is-the proper one under which to engage man and tbat it will become universal in the near future. He suggested the disuse of the term “unemployed ” as in its own application it refers to those for whom the Government found work on unproductive works at pauper rates of pay in return for which the State was rewarded with the Government stroke in the work done.

Sx. Mart’s at the Bush. —A meeting of the parishioners of this oburch was held immediately after Mass on Sunday last, for the purpose of considering the enlarging of the church. The Rev. Father Treaoy presided, and there was a good representative meeting. Father Treaoy laid upon the table a rough copy of the proposed enlargement, it was unanimously decided to go on with the work immediately, and over £2OO was then and there promised. The necessity for enlarging the church has been keenly felt for some time past, the accommodation of the present building being much too limited for the worshippers. The parishioners have taken up the idea splendidly, and there is not a doubt but that the present church will be considerably enlarged at once. We understand that Mr A. White will be the architect, and under his supervision a handsome and convenient church will no doubt soon be completed. It is a very healthy sign that in these days when a great many people and managers of institutions are complaining about hard timet and the d ffiouities of making ends mee that money to carry out this needed 1 work should bo so freely forthcoming. ,

A Brewer in 1 rouble. At the ] Resident Wag; v.r tit’s Oouit, Chris I- , church, Francs Junes, a brewer, was fined £2O for a btv- ch of the Trade Marks Act by selling colonial porter in bottles with Engiis lab r! -. Not Proven.— 1 he charge against Mrs Cecilia Clark, of h inns* in February last. . set fire to a ne •> house bt-loogiog to Mr Chisholm at Nelson was dismissed, the magistrate expressing I he opinion that the evidence was not sufficient. Road Board Elections —C-ndid ites for the vacant seals on thn T. muka Road Board must be Domiu'ded with Mr W, Wills before noon to-dny, and o indicates for the vacancies on the Geraldine Road Board must be nominated with Mr W. Shiers before doom on Monday.. Education, —The annual report of the North Canterbury Board of Education states that during 1890 the expenditure on salaries was £61,606, and on incidentals £6615. The inspectors reported that work in the two highest standards was slightly inferior to last year’s, but that the other standards showed a ■ fair advance in efficiency. The number of teachers is 535; ; of school districts. 146 ; schools, 163 ; number on rolls, 21.240 ; average attendance, 17,869; ppresen ed in the standards, 13.962; in the preparatory division, 6817; passed the standards, 10,507. The Late Mb Qbbssoh’s Estate.—At a meeting of the late J. B. Gresson’s estate Messrs A. McKellar and A. M. Oliver were appointed trustees in place of M/ Henderson, resigned. It was resolved by 27, representing £l6 030, to 3, representing £z463, to a'low the widow the furniture and effects in her house. A statement was made on behalf of the lion. H. B. Gresson that the estate was indebted to him in £23,994, and the declaration of proof was submitted in respect to it. It was stated, however, that he did not intend to press hia claim, but would allow it to remain in the estate for tna benefit of the general body of creditors. Volunteers. The Defence Minister has held a conference with the Wellington officers of the Permanent Militia and Volunteers to discuss matters relative to the best method of strengthening the | volunteer corps and bringing them in closer connection with the permanent forces. It was decided to ho d a big field day on the (Queen’s Birthday in the vicinity of the forts, in which the volunteers and permanent force shall take part. Mr Seddon intimated that he intends to confer with the officers in the other chief centres of the colony for the purpose of ascertaining their opinions on the subject, and would then probably ask the Wellington officers to meet him again. Licensing Eelctions. The licensing election at Feilding resulted in the return of the previous committee, in favor of increase of all licenses, by large majorities. The prohibitionists having been successful at Roelyn, Dunedin, made a strong effort to win the licensing election at North-East Valley, but were unsuccessful, the whole of the moderate candidates being elected. The polling was close. The election of a licensing committee for the North East Ward of Christchurch resulted in the return of Messrs Kimball, Jameson, Westerns, Humphreys, and Rosa, by s majority of over one hundred above the five candidates representing the prohibition party. They now form the committee for four wards in Christchurch. The Edwards Appointment. Mr Jus'tce Edwards this week, following the usual practice of Government officers, forwarded his voucher for salary for the ■currant month falling due on the 30-h inat. As there was no appropriation to meet the payment, the salary voted by the House for Mr Edwards as Native Lands Commissioner having expired on the 31st March, the claim was referred to Ministers. After consideration of the matter in Cabinet it was decided that the Government have no power to make the payment, inasmuch as the appropriation for the Commissioner has been exhausted, and Ministers have no power to pay Mr Edwards a salary as Judge because the House definitely declined to recognise hta judgeship by striking out the judicial title from the estimates, and further that the message proposing the exoLion of the word came to the House from the Governor. Claim for Alleged Unskilful Treatment.—An interesting case was decided in the Supreme Court, Christchurch, on Wednesday, before Mr Justice Denniston and a special jury of 12. A young man, Augustus Chipper, sued Dr Mickle for £IOOO damages for alleged unskilful treatment. In September 1588, he accidentally inflicted a small cut near his knee. He went to Dr Miokle, who attended him and afterwards sent him to the hospital. Hia leg got so bad that it had to be amputated. Chipper’s case was completely bioken down by the evidence for the defence, which showed that he walked with the injured leg instead of resting it, and that in the hospital he continually removed' the dressings and drainage tubes, despite the repeated warnings from the doctors, who declared this would account for the non-improve-ment in his condition. The jury, after five minutes’ rstirement, returned a verdict for defendant. Proposed Choral Society. By ao advertisement elsewhere it will be seen that it is proposed to consider the advisability of establishing a choral society in Temuka. This is a movement that should enlist the sympathy of everyone, for few things have so elevating a tendency os the cultivation of mu-ic whether vocal or instrumental. In Temuka there is a large amount of musical talent mora or less developed, and, given a little enthusiasm and proper instruction, a capital society ought to ba formed. Although music is popularly cilled a natural gift, still it is ono that needs cultivation, and one of the first duties of those interested in the formation of a choral society should be to place it on such a footing as will admit of tbe payment of a good conductor, and possibly aluo of an accompanist, la such a large district a sufficient number of members ought to ba easily obtained to admit of this without maklug the subscription fee coo heavy a one, and besides the sympathy of honorary members might ba enlisted, for there are many who have a keen appreciation of the charms of music who still have no vocal skill: M»ny of such would doubtless be only too glnd to assist in a schema th* promises to confer much pleasure upon the community, and it is certainly (o In- < df-BDod that all true lovers of music wit , attend the tneeing oa WertQi-*d„y n xt and striye to m-ke tbe affair a signal 1 success. , \

Work Wanted. A meeting of 100 unemployed wharf laborers at Lyttelton passed a resolution to ask the Government to assist them in getting work. Attempted Suicide.—A farmer named Edward Frost attempted to out his throat at Nelson, but the knife was blunt, and hopes are entertained of his recovery. It appears that when* he was threshing three weeks ago a grain of corn blew into bis ear. He could not remove it, and it affected his brain. Belfield Siding.—Mr James Burnett, the resident engineer of the Canterbury section of the N.Z. Railways, visited Bslfield on Thursday to report upon the propose I railway siding. Ha was met by u number of the settlers, who detailed to him the difficulties they labored under with regard to the transmission of their produce. It has been arranged for Mr Burnett to furnish a plan and report to the Oommissiouers, nod it ia hoped that the aiding will be duly made. Clearing Sale. —Mr A. B, (Jox, in conjunction with Mr E. B. Guinneia, held a clearing aula of live and dead farm (took at Ohapi, tho residence of the late Mr B, A. Barker, yesterday. There Was a magnificent attendance, and the bidding throughout was very spirited. Good prices were realised for the Devon cattle, which were excellent of their kind, and tbe draught horses also fetched good value, the buyers being for the most part farmers in the neighborhood, who had seen them working, The young horses, which wore in excellent condition and by well-known sires, realised comparatively speaking low prices, tho near approach of winter and the scarcity of feed making people shy of this class of investment. An upstanding horse by Blackwood Abdallah was keenly competed for and fell to the bid of a Geraldine buyer for £35. The implements, vehicles, and odds and ends all found purchasers at fair values, and tha sale was considered to ba a particularly good one, especially considering the poor harvest. Temuka Floral Society.—A Committee maeting of the above Society was held at the secretary’s office last night. The president (Mr E. Cuiten), Messrs P. Warning (chairman), Qeo. Smith, Metson, Hooper, Saunders, Bennett, and

the secretary were present. After rouliue, it was proposed by Mr Smith—“ That in the event of Mr Aehweli not returning from Auckland in time to audit t ; ie books Mr A. W, Gaze be asked to do so at the same remuneiation.” Seconded by Mr Bennett and carried. Proposed by Mr Meteoo “That tbe anonul meeting be held in the Social Hall on Thursday, May 7th, at 7.80 p.m., and that the same be advertised in tbs Temuka Leader.” Seconded by Mr Saunders, end earned. The meeting then adjourned until May 4th, when the annual report and balance-sheet will be brought up for consideration.

SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS

Wesleyan Church, Temuka—Sorrioes for to-morrow. Mount Peel. Road District—Annual meet* ing of ratepayers on Ist May. Q-eraldioe County Council —Special order re proposed Waitohi water works. Temuka Choral Society —Meeting to form same on Wednesday next. Temuka Caledonian Society meeting of Committee on Friday next. J. Mnndeil and Co.—Publish entries for Geraldine stock sale on Wednesday next. John Grant, Willow bank, Temuka— Notice re tenders accepted for cropping land. Professor Carl and Madame Give grand variety entertainment in Te-< umka Volunteer Hall on Tuesday evening. A. E. Cox and E. R. Guinness —dell sheep oatlls and pigs at Geraldine on Wednesday. H. B. Webster and Co.—Advertise sntrieiX for regular stock sale at Geraldine on Wednesday.