LOCAL & GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2284, 24 November 1891, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL.

Rust in Wheat.— Rust is making its appearance in wheat in Ashburton. Gambling, —Harry Mooney and John, Newman were each fined £lO, and £3 5s costs or a months imprisonment for laying totalisator odds on the racecourse at Ashbourton. Political Amenities. The Dunedin Star publishes correspondence between Mr Fish and the Premier in reference to the latter’s attitude towards the Labour Party last session. The exchange of compliments is very strong. Inquest. —At the inquest touching the death of James Wilson, who was shot at the butts,' at Dunedin on Friday, the jury brought in a verdict that he was accidentally shot by a shot from the rifle of Gunner Davey, who was exonerated from all blame. Consumption Cure. —At the Nelson City Council meeting a letter was read from Mr Humphries, the consumptive patient under Mr Clapham’s treatment, stating that his cough was much better, that the night sweats had gone, that breathing was easier, that he can walk four I times as far as he could, that he had gained \> slb in weight, and felt much better.

Buent to Death.- John wation, an old Nelson identity, was burnt to death on Tuesday, at: the Rainbow accommodation house. '

Death op Mr Fulton. —Mr James Fulton, M.L.C., died on Friday afternoon at Taieri; it is supposed from heart disease. He was 61 years of age. He, was for many years Resident Magistrate at Outrain, and became member for the Tairei on Mr Donald Reid’s retirement. He was called to the Upper House by Sir H. Atkinson last year. He leaves a widow, and three sons and three daughters, all grown up., The Governor.—His Excellency . the Governor and the Countess of Onslow reached Dunedin on Saturday night by train. There was no formal reception, but the mayor, city councillors, and members of the House of Representatives were present. The mayor extended a welcome to the visitors, and expressed the regret felt at the approaching departure from the colony of the Governor and the Countess. The Railway Commissioners.— The Railway Commissioners having refused to grant free passes to members of the Garrison Band attending the band contest in Dunedin, a deputation waited on the Minister for Defence who said he was always glad to assist the bands in their efforts to cultivate high class music for the Volunteer force, and that he would instruct Lieutenant-Colonel Hume to pass the members of the bands as on duty, which would enable each of them to travel free on the railway line.

The Shingle Shifting. The muddle of the shingle shifting is being continued. We recently drew attention to it, and one of the suggestions we made is apparently about to be adopted. On last Friday the hopper, which we described recently, turned over and emptied itself back on to the beach, breaking some of the gear, and doing considerable damage, for which the ratepayers must pay. It would be wise on the part of the ratepayers to watch closely what is going on, and make inquiries of their representatives on the board why they look with such apathy on such a waste of money. Our Fleet. —On leaving Wellington, the warships Tauranga and Ringarooma will proceed north to Auckland, and visit Napier, Gisborne, and Tauranga, on their way. In January they will return tol Lyttelton, after which the Tauranga wil visit several southern ports, and be present in Nelson for the Jubilee celebration in February, The Ringarooma will come north again. The object of these visits is to acquire accurate information regarding all the ports and anchorages. The West Coast coal ports will also be visited in due course.

Nautical Enquiry. — At the nautical enquiry into the stranding of the Duke of Buckingham, before Captains Preece, Popham, and Joss, evidence was given by the captain, three officers, sevoral quartermasters, engineers, and seamen of the steamer; also by Captain Whitby of the Jane Douglas, who said that the current was exceptionally strong that night. The other evidence was to the effect that no precautions had been neglected. All were sober; the compasses were right, and no mention of the current was made in the last edition of the New Zealand Pilot (1891). After the accident the ship was kept within a mile of the shore so as to beach her if necessary, as they did not expect to reach Lyttelton. The judgment of the assessors was deferred till the 27th inst. Bursting Up. —As a result of the taxation,in all probability we are informed that Mr Wigley’s estate will be burst up, or rather divided amongst those interested in it. Mr Wigley will take one-third of it, and live in his present house. Mr Studholme will take the remainder Of it and build a house where Mr Mackay lives. This in itself is good. Workmen will get a good deal of wages in building up the new homestead. Another family will be brought to live in the district, another set of servants, and employees will be required, and in all probability more improvements will be effected. At any rate it is to be hoped the gorse on fences adjoining the public roads will be cut without recourse to law. It is quite possible the change in the incidence of taxation hastened this, as now that the place is divided into two estates each owner will be entitled to deduct the value of improvements up to £3OOO from each estate, and thus they will escape taxation on £6OOO instead of £3OOO. However, it is an advantage to the district and we are glad to find that the division is to take place in the beginning of next year. Nautical Kegulations. A despatch has been received by the Governor from the Admiralty, stating that while they are not prepared to depart from the principle of the continuous and general service system, their Lordships will be willing to make arrangements for the admission into the Koyal Navy, of men and boys of Australian and New Zealand birth, on the following lines : —(1) Able seaman, to be entered on the Australian station to fill vacancies as nen-continuous service men ' for six months’ trial on the station, and if after that time they are found suitable, they will be allowed to join the navy as continuous service men, and will be paid (as continuous service men) from the date of their original entry. The men so entered will be sent to England for training in gunnery, etc., but they will afterwards be employed on the Australian station if they so desire. (2) Boys who volunteer and come up to the standard will be accepted and brought to England for training with the paid-off crews of Her Majesty’s ships, and after undergoing the necessary training they will be employed as far as possible on the Australian station, if so desired. Volcanic Eruption— An Evening Post special respecting the Tauranga eruption, supplies the following details: —Another severe shock was felt at abo* j 10.45 a.m., and then all was quiet until about 5 o’clock on Friday afternoon, when some natives on the hills at Tepuke observed a black cloud rise from behind Maketu, and shortly afterwards bursts of flame were plainly seen. The natives rode over to Maketu, where they found that the natives resident there had also observed the phenomena, and it was then ascertained that Plate Island, known by the natives as Matungatuna, had become a volcano. The eruption was also observed after dark from here by Mr Lindon, the mayor, who says that there can be no doubt that Plate Island is now a volcano. Unless one gets back on the hills Plate Island cannot be seen from here, as high land hides it, but there are clouds of steam in the sky now over the place, i Captain Steen, of the s:s, Kati-kati, which left Maketu for Tauranga at 9.30 on Friday night, reports that he saw volumes of flame ascending from Plate Island, and that it is still blazing this (Saturday) morning. The Kati-kati was close to Plate Island the day previously, but there were no signs of valcanic agency at work at that time.” A telegram from Tauranga, says that the rumour is probably due to the fact that a fire has been kindled on the Island, which is only rock, by a party engaged in muttonbird hunting.—A telegram to hand yesterday from Auckland says:—“ News has just been received from Tauranga that tho story of the eruption at Plate Island has no foundation in fact. Earthquake shocks were felt in the locality, but that there has been nothing approaching a volcanic outbreak,” 1

Temuka Rifles.—A special Government parade of this corps takes place to-morrow evening, when absentees will be fined.

Influenza. —lnfluenza is spreading in Christchurch and city suburbs, but it appears to be a mild type, and no fatalities are reported.

Postponed Sale. —The auction sale of groceries advertised to take place today on account of Mr J. W, Velvin, is postponed until Thursday next.

Suspicious Death. — A , woman was found dead in Hagley Park, Christchurch; She was apparently about 37 years old, and wore two wedding rings and a keeper. There is no sign of violence.

Suicide. John William Franklin committed suicide in Palmerston North by cutting his throat with a knife. He had been drinking heavily. He was 38 years of age, and unmarried. Embezzlement. —Croft, who has been arrested at Sydney, formerly held the position of deputy, official assignee at Gisborne, and absconded in March last. His defalcations are said to be about £6OO. Geraldine Stock Sale. —The fortnightly sale of stock, &c., at Geraldine takes place to-morrow, and a large number of entries will be found advertised by the various auctioneers. Found Dead. —A woman named Jones, missing from Tauranga since Thursday, has been found dead at the bottom of the High Avenue embankment, with her neck broken. She had fallen over a cliff.

Election Petition.— Judges Williams and, Denniston have been appointed by the Chief Justice to try the petition of Mr Eden George, against the election of Mr Sandford for Christchurch. Volunteer Officers.— Mr Edward Whitehead is gazetted as lieutenant of the Temuka Rifles, and Mr W. H, Foden lieutenant of the Timaru Rifles, both commissions dating from October 7,1891: Forgery. —At the Supreme Court, Christchurch, yesterday, Frederick Danes, for forgery of two cheques while' acting as secretary to a school committee, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to twelve months on each charge. Rain Forcing. Captain Morrison and two men of the Torpedo Corps were expected to arrive at Oamaru, yesterday afternoon in Connection with the rain-making experiments. Heavy rain has been faliing in all the country districts round about for twelve hours. It was urgently wanted for the crops. Personal. —We regret to learn that Mr J. Page has been obliged to leave for England on account of ill-health. He is suffering from calculis, the disease from which the late Mr Turnbull suffered, and went to Dunedin to consult a surgeon. He was strongly urged to go home at once, to undergo an operation, and hence his absence from tbe colony.

Tramways ax a Discount,— The land, privileges, plant, etc., . in connection with the Auckland Tramways were offered at auction yesterday morning. There was only one bid of £IOOO, and the lot was bought in by the auctioneer, on behalf of the mortgagees. The object of the sale was to give the Bank of New Zealand Estates and Mortgages Co. a title to the plant and rolling stock. Suicide. —■ George Edward Hallara, aged 23, formerly lamplighter for the Napier Gas Company, and respectably connected, but of weak intellect, was recently committed for trial for indecent assault on a little girl, and admitted to bail. He apparently committed suicide yesterday morning by throwing himself over the cliff near the Napier breakwater, a fall of 260 feet. He was seen to fall and was picked up and conveyed to the hospital, but died shortly after admission.

The Mount Peel Road Boaed.—We received no communication from Geraldine yesterday, and nothing has come to hand about the Mount Peel Road Board meeting. We feel pretty well sure that the post office has muddled things as usual. Wo have heard privately that there were 27 applicants for the position of clerk and overseer to the Mount Peel Road Board and that out of these the names of three were selected and put into a hat, when luck favored Mr Dugald McFarlane, who was then appointed. Chaeitablb Aid.—At a meeting of the Charitable Aid Board, of Dunedin, it was stated that the Benevolent Trustees would be overdrawn at the end of the year by £I6OO in excess of the estimates. It was explained that this was due to the large increase of out-door relief. The opinion was expressed that as long as out-door relief was given it would go on increasing. It was suggested that the trustees should get a farm to which those who could work should be sent, instead of being given outdoor relief. A committee were appointed to ascertain if the investments of the trustees could not be realised and used to meet current expenditure. Serious Accident.—A boy named Genge met with an accident at the Oamaru show. He was passing behind a shooting gallery, when a bullet passed through the shields and lodged in his stomach just below the ribs. Ho was taken to the hospital, when an operation was performed for the extration of the bullet.—A telegram to hand yesterday says“ The boy Genge, who was shot in the stomach by a bullet from a shooting gallery at the agricultural show on Friday last, has been operated upon. The doctors failed to extract the bullet, and the lad lies in a critical condition. A number of persons were struck by bullets. One boy had a piece of lead embedded over his eye, another was struck on the back of the neck, and a third on the forehead. A bullet also tore the ground up close to a lady. Nobody was injured seriously except the lad Genge. The gallery appears to have been constructed of wood, and the bullets passed. through wholesale.” Fire At Kubow. A large fire has taken place at the township of Kurow, 50 miles inland from Oamaru. Thiele’s general store and house, Waddel’s store and house, Delargy’s hotel and public hall, the London shop, and Farr’s dwelling house were totally destroyed. The fire commenced at 9.30 on Saturday night, Thiele’s dwelling house, attached to his store, and was caused by a candle igniting the curtains of a bed chamber, where two children were sleeping. The latter was only rescued just in time. A strong gale blowing fanned the flames, and hardly anything was saved from the store or dwelling house. The hotel next door quickly caught, but the bulk of furniture in this and other buildings subsequently destroyed was saved. A man named Munday went upstairs in the hotel to save some things, and before he could retreat he was badly burned about the head and arms; ho was brought into the Oamaru. Hospital yesterday morning. The total damage is estimated at £SOOO find the insurances amount to £3OOO. The' glare of the fire was plainly seen in Temuka, ' -

Is It'a Mistake ?—The Gazette just to hand contains a proclamation , for the election of Charitable Aid Boards, and showing the number of votes contributory bodies shall exercise. It appears to us that there is some mistake about the South Canterbury Board, as the only local bodies which are set down as possessing votes are : the Waimate County Council and the Waimate Borough Council. This does not appear to us to be right, and : perhaps those interested will look into the matter. There was some trouble last year over the election in the same way, • Save Time and Money by learning to ride a cycle. Riding School at 70, Manchester Street, Christchurch. Adams, Curties & Co., New Zealand Cycle Works. Tuition free. Cycles from £5. Send for illustrated list. - 3 SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS. Temuka Rifles—Special Government parade to-morrow evening. W. E. Barker, Peel Forest—s shillings reward for return of lost lady’s macintosh, W. S, Maslin—Has postponed Mr J. W. Velvin’s sale of groceries, etc., until Thursday next. Chas. M. Crombie, Commissioner of Taxes—lmportant notice re returns under •* The Land and Income Assessment Act, 1891.” - ••