LOCAL & GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2258, 24 September 1891, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL.

Entertainment at Seadown,—A concert and dance take place in the Seadown school this evening, in aid of the prize fund of the school. English Cricketers.—Lord Sheffield’s English cricket team will not visit New Zealand, owing to Ihe lateness of their arrival in Australia. The Unemployed,—During last week ninety-one men, principally bush fellers obtained employment through the Government bureau Wellington, Fifteen were sent by the Salvation Army. Geraldine Races, —Owners of horses are reminded that acceptances for firstday’s races, and entries for a number of the second days’ races, (which will be found enumerated in our advertising columns), are due to-day at 9 p.m, PROKESSOr Mason.—On last Tuesday evening, the Volunteer Hall was crowded to hear Professor Mason. On next Friday evening he will deliver his farewell lecture, and appear next Monday evening in the Volunteer Hall, Geraldine. Missing,—A man named Peter Dow is missing from Outram, Otago. He went to bed as usual early on Monday night. Next Morning his wife found him missing. He left an aifectionately worded letter, stating that when she read it he would be dead, and requesting that no search be made for his body. [A telegram to hand yesterday says Dow was found on the express train at Palmerston.] Hospital Board Liabilities.—ln the case Lovett ; v. the Auckland Hospital Board, claim £IOOO damages for alleged unskilful treatment of a leg in the hospital, the jury awarded £250 damages and costs. The medical evidence was very conflicting. The legal point whether the board axe liable for the action of the medical superintendent, Dr Collins, has yet to be argued in Banco. Lecture. Mr E. T. Loach, of New South Wales, who preached in the Primitive Methodist Church on Sunday evening last to a large congregation, will give a free lecture on “ Is the Bible the Word of God ? ” Mr Loach has given this lecture, which is a very interesting one, at other places with great success. The lecture will be given in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Geraldine, on Thursday evening next, when the chair will be taken by the Rev. W. C. Wood. Exchange on Cheques.—At Greytown North a meeting of residents, held to consider the imposition of exchange on cheques by the banks, passed the following resolutions “ (1) That exchange on up-country cheques by the bank hinders industry and commerce. (2) That the following should be bank exchange districts in the colony:— Auckland, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Wellington, Canterbury, Nelson; Westland, Otago, and Southland ; and that exchange be only charged between those districts and not ivithin them. (3) That petitions to the banks be circulated in the different districts, in order to assist in giving weight to the opinion of this meeting' This will disconcert the banks greatly. The people are under the thumb of the banks, and so long as they are so slavish an the remainder there, they need not expect any concession. Too Inquisitive—The present opposition get themselves into ridiculous positions sometimes. Whenever they ask for returns, the sins of the past Ministry crop up. The Christchurch Press says:—Mr Fergus claimed that the bonuses had been given to messengers and other servants and he insisted upon having a .return showing the amounts of the moneys paid in bonuses. This return was again asked for to-night. Mr Seddon put it on the table, when Mr Fergus complained that the return travelled over a period of five years instead of only one, and comprised bonuses paid by members of various Governments. Mr Fisher said that a return showing the’ expenses of the present Minister of Public Works for special trains would be much more interesting to the people of the colony. Mr Seddon replied that no special trains had been charged, for the Commissioners had not charged for them. If, however, they had been charged for, the cost of his special trains would have been £l5O. Mr Fergus retorted that during his term of office he had used only one special train and paid for it out of his own pocket. Mr Rolleston, evidently weary of this profitless discussion, pointedly asked the Premier if he knew when the prorogation Avould take place. Mr Ballance said he would be able to answer that question at eight o’clock to-morrow morning. Our Agent-General.—The following appears in a recent number of the Sydney Morning Herald: —Mr Perceval is a young man, not more than thirty-seven, possessed ' of great wealth and brilliant attainments, i He is member for Christchruch city, and Chairman of Committees. He was bom in Tasmania, reared in Canterbury, and educated at Christchurch College. Proceeding to England in 1873 he entered the philosophy class at Stonyhurst, matriculated at the London University, ate hia dinners in the Middle Temple, and was called to the Bar in 1877. Returning to New Zealand he entered upon the active practice of hie profession with a partner. A few years afterwards his health broke down, and he again made a trip Home, where he remained for some time. He has travelled ip many countries, is an accomplished linguist, and ft devqut Bqmap Cathglic. He might long ago have been a Minister of the Crown, but he has always had a horror of the laborious taskwork which is inseparable for such a position. As he goodnaturedly admits, he is constitutionally predisposed towards indolence rather than to that energetic industry which is never happier than when demolishing mountains to work. To those who urge him to accept the cafes apd worries and exhausting responsibilities qf Ministerial office, his reply is like that the French beggar to the stem economist who reproached him with his vagabondage—“ 4A monsieur, si Pf/iis spvla? enmhiciije misjmrmen* ■’ However, Mf Perceval is admirably qualified for the position of Agent-General of a non-borrowing Colony like New Zealand, a position, the Duties of which are largely social and ceremonious. He is a man of the world in the best sense of the phrase, a gentleman and a echolaf, '

Belief Fund.— Nearly £l5O has been collected in the Wellington district for the evicted tenants in Ireland.

Lyttelton Harbour.— The Lyttelton Harbour Board decided to hire the Dunedin Harbour Board’s large dredge for six months for work in the inner harbour. Fraudulent Bankruptcy. —Mr Justice Williams at Dunedin granted a warrant for the arrest of Bernard McKeman, a bankrupt, on the ground that he was about to quit the country to defeat or delay proceedings.

Woodbury Sports. —A public meeting of members of the Woodbury Athletic Club and others interested in the annual sports will be held at Woodbury on Saturday next, at half-past seven o’clock. A large attend - ance is hoped for. A Young Burglar.— At the R.M. Court, Timaru, yesterday, Ernest Barker, a lad of 11, was sentenced to six strokes of a birch rod and to be sent to Burnham for breaking into a solicitor’s office and stealing therefrom and for stealing an overcoat from the High School porch. Fatal Accident.—A child, 18 months old, daughter of Mr Klink, a labourer, was drowned accidentally in a well at Feilding, on Monday afternoon. —The body of a man named Gray, who has been missing from Waikoikoi, Otago, was found in the Pomahaka river on Tuesday Theological College.— The foundation stone of Selwyn Theological College will de laid on the 31st October in Dunedin. The Primate has been invited by Bishop Neville to perform the ceremony, and advantage will be taken of the occasion to celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of the Bishop’s consecration. Fire Brigade. —Avery strong committee has been formed in Wellington to arrange for a fire brigades’ demonstration in February. Mjr W. Harris, formerly superintendent of the Christchurch brigade, was elected chairman ; Mr W. H. Mitchell, treasurer; and Lieutenant Smith, secretary. Liberal donations have been received, and large number of influetial residents have joined the committee. Tbmuka Presbyterian Church.—A meeting of lady members of the congregation was held on Tuesday evening to consider steps to be taken towards obtaining funds for a new organ. It was decided to open subscription lists at once, to collect contributions of money and goods —either farm produce or otherwise —and to get up a musical and dramatic entertainment in aid of the same. A Good Spin. —Two young wheelmen, of Geraldine, somewhat stimulated by the success of Mr Salek, of Ashburton set out on Saturday night for a good long spin. They left Geraldine about 10.30. p.m, and rode to Pleasant Point, slept there over night, and left on Sunday morning for Fairlie Creek, returning on Sunday evening to Geraldine, after a ride of about 120 miles.

Coursing.—At the enquiry into the alleged ringing in connection with the recent coursing meeting in Dunedin, it was decided to disqualify from or coursing J. Forward, of Christchurch, and also the bitch Kathleen Mavonmeen, otherwise Lady Lynton, and all concerned are to be notified to this effect. It was the unanimous opinion that the evidence for the defence had been given in a very unsatisfactory manner.

Robbery in Timaru.—At the R.M. Court, Timaru, last Tuesday, Charles Edward Walker was charged with stealing a hat from Mr Waddell’s shop. The evidence went to show that he was a native of Auckland, that he went to Dunedin, and was on his way back, having a return ticket, to Christchurch; that he walked from Temuka to Timaru in company with spielers; and that he went into Waddell’s and ordered a paif of trousers, at the same time taking the hat. Mr Raymond, who appeared for the prisoner, made a telling appeal on his behalf, urging that the theft was the result of the prisoner’s having got into bad company and been drinking. He urged the Court to admit the prisoner to probation, as by his appearance they could see his antecedents were respectable. The Bench considered it a most impudent robbery, but as nothing was known against the prisoner inflicted a fine of 10s and ordered the hat to be returned, in default three days’ imprisonment. Angling.—The angling season opened on Tuesday last, and several of our Temuka anglers availed themselves of the opportunity to try their luck, although they considered that fish could scarcely be in condition, In this they were not deceived, for as it turned out all the fish caught were in very poor order. At the Rangitata Mr Nicholas caught 12 that weighed 531bs: Mr Meredith' Kaye 4, scaling 301bs; Mr Hope 17,.that went Sipbs ; and Mr Holwell 4, that scaled 211bs. Mr Bowman and his son, who visited the same stream, took 5 weighing 391bs. In the Temuka and Opihi rivers the sport was poor, several anglers returning with empty baskets. Mr T. Oliver landed 33 with the fly, six of which went 2 o-161bs. Mr D. Findlay took 18 that weighed about lOlbs, the largest le jig 21bs, and Mr James Findlay had a iije even lot of 7 that scaled 4£lbs. Mrs J. T. M. Hayhurst, the only lady out the first day, hooked and landed a nice trout of 21bs weight.

An Effigial Show at Geraldine.— Since Sunday last great excitement has prevailed among young people, and old too, at Geraldine, about the effigy which was hung up at the Fire Brigade station. On Tuesday placards were posted up at various places stating that 11 The funeral of the late ‘Thursday Half-holiday’ will take place to-night, at 9.30 p.m., when the body will leave the Fire Brigade station for place of interment, viz., the riverbed. Members of the Thursday Half-holiday society are requested to attend in sparrow-tailed coats, white bell-toppers, and black kid gloves. By order, P. Barnum, Undertaker.” Punctually at the time over 300 people turned out to witness the fun. The effigy was placed in a carriage drawn by several young men, while a procession followed of young fellows, some dressed up as niggers, policemen, and others, with white belltoppers and swallow-tailed coats. The music supplied was from accordeons, whistles, drums, and tins of various descriptions. After marching from one end of the town to the other and back, a halt was made at the place of interment, at the back of the Fire Brigade station, where two local spadesmen were at work clearing ft grave for the departed one. Here the crush became so severe that several onlookers were toppled over into the hole, and looked very much like being buried themselves. The effigy was placed in the hole, the torches held overhead, and the service conducted by an extemporised parson, who, by the way, was so “ short in the pins ” that it was a hard job to see him over the multitude of heads. “Auld lang syne ” was sung very pathetically and the last sod turned before the mourners cquld be induced to leave the tomb. When they did leave it they left, behind them a neat little head-stone to mark the spot, on which was written in blood red letters the follow- j mg epitaph Ip memory of - ——l

who defuncted en the 20th Sept. 1891. Who shuffied from his mortal toil into a coil of rope.” Below the above was a moral as follows;—" This was the man who through the paper did speak, and would not the Thursday half-holiday keep.” Signed, Jack Catch, Undertaker.”

Sporting.—At the settling up of the South Canterbury Joodey Club over the late Spring meeting payments were made as follows: —Mr H, Lunn, £237 10s ; Messrs M. & C. Habbs, £133 ; Mr J. Meikle, £3B ; Mr A. Macdonald, £3B; Mr Hennings, £33 5s ; Mr H. Craig, £2B ; Mr J. Poole, £23 15s; Mr 0. Kennedy, £23 15s ; Mr T. Daily £l4 ss; Mr W. Brown £9 10s; Mr J. Loughlin £9 10s ; Mr W. Russell £9 10s; Mr T. Twomey £9 10s; Mr P. Russell £4 15. SYNOPSIS OP ADVERTISEMENTS. Mr W. 0. Weaver—4Binch bicycle for sale. Geraldine Racing Club—Acceptances due to-night. Football Social—At Temuka on Tuesday evening. Shearers Union—Annual meeting on Saturday next. Public Meeting at Woodbury—On Saturday evening re annual sports. Alfred White Tenders wanted for alterations and additions to house at Woodbury. Concert and Dance—At Milford on October 9. I, James Harison, Storekeeper, Temuka—ls selling goods at same prices as any other store in town ; grass seeds, &c., on sale. Professor Mason—Farewell lecture at Temuka to-morrow night; lectures at Geraldine on Monday night on “Heads and Faces.”

T. & J. Thomson, Drapers & Silk Mercers, Timaru—Have just received a few cases of new goods for spring season in addition to previous large shipments, including diapers, hollands, linens, cashmeres, kid gloves, straws, underclothing, &c.