LOCAL & GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2285, 26 November 1891, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL.

Sudden Death. —A man named Charles Ingram, aged 54, died suddenly in Christchurch, from pains in the chest, contracted during the day. An inquest will be held. Sale of Groceries, &c. —Mr W. S. Maslin holds a clearing sale of groceries, tea, sugar, glassware, etc., on account of Mr J. W. Velvin, at Temuka to-day. Fatal Result. —The boy* Genge, who was injured by a bullet which passed through the target of a shooting gallery at the Oamaru show, died in the Hospital on Monday night. The Arson Case. Henry Septimus Decimus Homes will be brought before the Court to-day at Geraldine. A large number of witnesses will probably be called, and from all accounts the case will last out two days. Waste Land. —One acre out of every 15 acres of freehold land in New Zealand is entirely unoccupied and unused in any way, speculators allowing it to lie idle in the hope that they will get better prices for it. It is time it was taxed. Political Addresses.— Mr A. E. G. Rhodes addresses his constitutents in the Temuka Volunteer Hall to-night, in the Pleasant Point,' Assembly Rooms tomorrow night, and in the Geraldine Volunteer Hall on Saturday night. The meetings will all commence at 8 o’clock. The Governor. —Lord Onslow, in company with the Minister of Mines, intends visiting the west coast of the South Island, spending the month in visiting the various places of interest. He then returns North, and proposes leaving the colony at the end of February. His final port of departure has not yet been determined. The Picturesque Atlas.— Masterton Justices of the Peace gave judgement for defendant with full costs, in a case Bowerman Bros, v Riddle. The Bench held that the signature on the patron list was obtained by fraudulent misrepresentation. An application for leave to appeal was rerefused. '

Death from Influenza. —MrP. Donald, of Arthur and Company, Christchurch, died at midnight from influenza, which attacked him about a week ago. He was formerly a resident at Nelson, and was well known throughout the colony. He was an ardent sportsman, and his death is deeply regretted.—Mr Piper, landlord of the Riccarton Racecourse Hotel, also died from influenza. Unlucky Shareholders.— A settlement has been arrived at between the Bank of New Zealand Estates Company in relation to the East Coast Settlement Company’s lands. No further call is to be made on the European shareholders, but they have lost all their money. The land they retain will recoup to the Assets Company the whole of the money advanced by the Bank with interest, so that they will lose nothing. The New Agent-General.— On retiring from the Agent-generalship, Sir F. D. Bell received a letter from the private secretary to Lord Knutsford as follows “His Lordship desires me to take this opportunity of expressing his appreciation of the courtesy and ability with which you invariably conducted all your business with this department, and his regret that yon are now retiring from the office which you have filled with so much advantage to her Majesty’s Government as well as to the Government of New Zealand.” Calculations Upset. A public meeting in Dunedin, to consider the proposed scheme to establish a public library, took rather an unexpected turn. The supporters had prepared a series of resolutions, but the secretary in reading the letters of apology incidentally mentioned something about the mayoral candidates. Without allowing him to finish, Mr Fish got up and psgtested against any canvassing, and after speaking at some length proposed a series of resolutions declaring that in the present depressed value of house property the i ratepayers were not in a position to pay increased rates, and that in the scheme as presented the benefits were not commensurate with the proposed cost. These were carried, the resolutions of the promoters never being pnt to the meeting. 1.0.G.T., Temuka. —A. social in connection with the Good Hope Lodge, Temuka, took place on Monday evening in the Social Hall. The lodge met at 7, and went through routine business, there being a good attendance. At 8 o’clock the public were admitted, and Bro. Geo. Davey, C.T., occupied the chair. After a first-rate tea, provided by Mr D. McCaskill, and dispensed by Sisters Storey, Goodey, Ackroyd, S. and E. Greaves, and others in the most pleasing manner, the following programme was gone through: Song, Ero. Whitehead ; reading, Bro. (Houston; song, Sister E. Goodey; reading, Bro. Barr; song, Sister M. Goodey; duet, Sisters S. and E. Greaves; song, Sister M. Roscoe; reading, Bro. Pearce; song, Sister A. McCallum; reading, Bro. A. Cooper; song, Bro. Monahan; song, Bro. Elder; song, Bro. Rodger; reading, Bro. Barr; song, Sister M. Goodey. The accompaniments were played in a tasteful manner by Miss M. Goodey, and the various items on the programme were capitally given and applauded without stint. A hearty vote of thanks to the chairman, the singers, and the ladies who dispensed the tea, moved by Bro. A, Russell, and carried amidst applause, terminated the proceedings.

A Horrible Affair.— An article in the “ United Service Magazine ” has an extract from the diary of an eye witness of the civil war in Chili. The writer is a lady named Constance Eaglestone. She tells of a disaster of which we have not heard, though it occurred in February. Iquique and Pisagua were connected by railway, and the rival forces held either end of the line. By chance each party selected the same day for making the attack. The line curved through hilly ground. Balmaceda’s officer saw the other train coming. He removed his men and some of his stores, and when the other train was near enough he put full steam on his own engine, jumped off, and witnessed with satisfaction the success of his horrible device. When the disaster was complete and the air filled with the groans and shrieks of the survivors, the President’s officer threw his cavalry on the maugled, bleeding, men who tried to escape, and on a few unhurt, who were endeavouring to rescue from the wreck the dead or dying. , The cavalry did their work well, and the ! President had so many enemies the fewer. Snob is civil war in the nineteenth century, I

ThbTGeahd Old Man. The labour party in Queensland have sent a request to Sir George Grey to visit that colony before the next general election.

Removal. —We hear that Mr Gapes, of Gapes’s Valley, having disposed of his property in that district, intends removing to Geraldine, where he will probably build and settle down in retired life.

Coal Supply.— The Grey Valley Coal Company are the successful tenderers for the supply of coal at the various ports of the colony, except in the Auckland district, for the New Zealand railways. Influenza. —lnfluenza is very prevalent all over the. colony at the present time. In this district it is very prevalent, but not of a virulent nature. It is alleged that if the system is well saturated with quinine it will not take any serious hold of a person. A wise precaution therefore would be for adults to take quinine pills and children might be given quinine wine. The late Mb. Fulton.— The funeral of the late Mr James Fulton, M.L.C., took place at Outram last Tuesday and was largely attended by townspeople and Taier i farmers. The Hon. R. J. Seddon represented the Government, and there was a number of members of both Houses present. The school children sang a hymn at the grave. Oamaru Woollen Factory. —The annual report of the Oamaru Woolen Factory shows a satisfactory state of affairs. After writing off £1291 8s for depreciation of plant, the net profit of £1541 Is 7d remains. The directors recommend that this be written off the old debit to profit and loss account. This a few years since stood at £SOOO and is now reduced to £127 7s 4d. Orders for the next year are very plentiful.

. Large Land Sales —The Bank of New Zealand Estates Company in pursuance of their general policy, agreed upon when the company was formed about twelve months ago, have commenced the realisation of their assets in real earnest. They advertise that in the South Island they will offer for sale in the early part of next year, in Marlborough, Canterbury, and Otago, properties to the extent of 334,014 acres of freehold and leasehold land, with 212,000 sheep, also cattle, horses, etc.

The Turn of the Tide.—The steamer Wairarapa, which arrived from Sydney brought 167 passengers, 137 of whom are for Auckland and the remainder for the south. Amongst those who returned were a number of old ex-Aucklanders, including some mechanics, who have evidently found life in Australia less profitable than they first imaginenit to be. News from Australia states that many ex-New Zealanders are walking the streets of Sydney and Melbourne without work, or provided with only occasional employment and but miserable wages.

Geraldine Horticultural Society.— A meeting of the members of this society was held on r’riday evening last, Dr Fish, president, in the chair. Matters were discussed relative to the chrysanthmum and fruit show, to be held in May next and a preliminary catalogue was drawn up, copies of which were ordered to be printed. A meeting of the committee was afterwards held, and the secretary was instructed to write to several gentlemen asking them if they would become judges for the annual show in January. The meeting then terminated.

Geraldine Tennis Club.—A meeting of those interested in the Geraldine Lawn Tennis Club was held in the Institute on Friday afternoon, Mr H. M. Moore occupying the chair. It was agreed to commence the forthcoming season on Tuesday, and the committee was instructed to see about getting new seats for the little park. The following office-bearers and committee were elected for the ensuing season. President, Mr A. E.G. Rhodes, M.H.R.; Vice President the Rev. J. Preston. Committee. Messrs,, M. C. Orbell, P. Wilson Smith, Hawkins,and A. G. Cox and the Rev. A. B. Todd. The weather being very uufavorable on Tuesday the club were unable to make a start. N.Z. Shipping Company. —At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Shipping Company, the chairman in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, congratulated the shareholders on the payment of a dividend and the general success of the operations of the company. He expressed the belief that the steamers and ships of the company had been valued down to their value, so that the company would continue to pay dividends. The Hon. C. C. Bowen and Messrs E. Richardson and H. T. Murray-Aynsley were re-elected as directors, and Messrs J.D. Craig and A. Garrick as auditors. The chairman in) a most complimentary speech proposed a vote of thanks to the staff afloat and shore, saying that the officers were the backbone of the company.

Supreme Court.— ln Christchurch, *Joe Dicks, indicted for having within four months of having been declared a bankrupt attempted to leave the colony with intent to defraud his creditors, pleaded not guilty. The prisoner, who was proprietor of the Waltham Arms Hotel, sold out, and having converted the proceeds of the sale left for Dunedin, but was arrested at Oamaru, and brought back. The jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty, and he was discharged. Joseph Capstick, an old offender, was found guilty of attempting to steal goods, the property of Alexander Scott, from the residence of George Stokes, and was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment. Joseph Flynn, charged with perjury in connection with a recent smuggling case jat Lyttelton, was discharged. Rosman Jorgenson pleaded guilty to larceny and was sentenced to fouryears. Prisoner had spent the last 17 years continually in gaol.— In Dunedin at the Supreme Court Alexander McNaughton claimed £2OO damages from Timothy Keates for alleged slander in calling him a thief. Mr Justice Williams gave a verdict for £5 and costs. He said that if the case had stopped at the angry interview,when the accusation of dishonesty was made in the presence of two schoolboys, the damages would have been nominal, but as an apology was declined and justification pleaded, judgment was given for an amount that would carry costs. Atrocious Murder.— Benjamin Watts, a sheep farmer, has been committed for trial at Adelaide by a coroner’s jury for the murder of a settler named John Lort. The fatal injuries were inflicted on Saturday evening, during a drunken brawl between these two men and another. It appears that after drinking whiskey and lager beer the parties grew argumentative, and the prisoner threw several bottles of beer at the deceased’s head. One knocked him down and the prisoner, a man of fine physique, beat him to death with a broom handle. The third man, whose name is Geister, was unable to prevent the atrocity. The deceased was a man of seventy years of age. The accused, Benjamin Watts, appeared quite oblivious of the tragedy when arrested. He was in the habit of imbibing freely at long intervals, and always exhibited signs of frenzy when under the influence of excessive drinking. The evidence given at the inquest showed that there had been no quarrel between the men, but they had in the most friendly way talked over business concerns, and that Watts attacked Lort with the bottle without any provocation. The murder has caused a profound sensation in the district, both men being respected by the residents. Watts is a married man with a family, i

The Postmaster-General.— The Post-master-General left Invercargill for the north yesterday. Burnt with Phosphorous. —The boy Carr who was burnt with phosphorous some time ago died at Riverton hospital on Tuesday. Electropathy. —At a meeting of the Temuka Electropathic Society held last Tuesday evening one new member was admitted. The printed books of the society were submitted and approved. The meeting adjourned until that day fortnight. Inquest, —An inquest was held in Timaru last Monday on the body of the infant child of Henry Bowers.' There was no evidence as to how the child died, no marks of violence, and no room to suspect foul play. The jury returned an open verdict.

Personal. —We leam that the Rev. Father Aubry, on reaching Christchurch, was ordered to Blenheim, the place from whence he came to Temuka. The parish to which the rev. gentleman has gone is very difficult to work. He has to undergo all sorts of privations out in the wilds of Marlborough, and it is not everyone who can stand it. Damages. —ln the case M. Lovett v. Auckland Hospital Board, for alleged unskilful treatment by the medical superintendent, Mr Justice Conolly gave judgment yesterday for plaintiff, for £250 and costs, holding the board responsible. His Honour’s remarks also appeared to indicate that the medical superintendent, against whom an action was discontinued, was also liable. The World’s Fair.— -At Dunedin yesterday morning Mr Seddon met a deputation of commercial men and explained the intentions and desires of the Government concerning the representation of New Zealand at the Chicago exhibition. It was resolved that in the opinion of this meeting it will be of great benefit to the colony if its natural products especially should berepresented at the Chicago World’s Fair. The matter now stands remitted back to the Chamber of Commerce to consult other bodies. I Serious Accident. —ln Temuka last 1 Tuesday afternoon some young men were going down to the riverbed to shoot with • a pea-rifle a dog which had the distemper. They were accompanied by some young I lads, one of whom was walking in front of i the person who was carrying the weapon, ‘and in some unaccountable way the rifle went off, and shot the lad. The little ball, which is only about the size of swan shot, entered his neck, and took a downward course, lodging in the neck just above the collarbone. He was taken at once to Dr. Hayes, who, with Dr. Sir W. Blunden, did all he could for the sufferer, but they considered it very dangerous to attempt to cut into where the bullet is lodged. The boy is getting on all right, and hopes are entertained that the bullet, which is very small, will not inconvenience him. We have suppressed the names of those concerned, not out of sympathy for the-young men, but for reasons of a natufe which renders it undesirable to-make the names public. Our Hire Purchase System offers Special Inducements to buy Cycles, Payments from 5s per- week, Adams Cukties & Co., 70, Manchester Street, Christchurch. Bicycles from £5. —I SYNOPSIS OP ADVERTISEMENTS. Temuka Road Board—lnvites tenders for work. Melville Gray, Timaru—Notifies that he is now landing a • shipment of “ Fison’s Fertilizer,” and publishes testimonial from Mr Thos. Palmer. E. Gibbard, (Late Bradley and Co.) Huffey’s Corner, Geraldine—Opens on Saturday with a large assortment of straw hats, dress stuffs, ribbons, gloves, etc.