LOCAL & GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2315, 6 February 1892, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL.

Wesleyan Church, TbwukA, The services for to-morrow'will be found.* ll our advertising columns. Primitive Methodist Church. — The services for to-morrow in connection with this Church will be found, in our advertising columns. Unregistered Dogs akd Unpaid Rates. Owners of unregistered dogs in the Temuka Town Board district should register them at once to avoid being sued. The Town Board have also resolved to sue for all unpaid rates without further notice. Geraldine St. Patrick’s Sports Association.— A committee meeting of this association was held on Wedneday evening, when and well arranged programme was drawn UP including bicycle races, bagpip® music, dancing, etc. Railway Returns. The railway revenue for the financial year ended January 2nd, amounted to £815,686, and the expenditure to £529,062. The grand totals for the corresponding period last year were—Revenue, £826,615, expenditure £422,856.

Coming Resignations— The following Customs officers resign on pension on March 31stJ. Robertson, landing waiter, Dunedin : Jackman, gauger for the colony; Collectors Patten, Napier; Lundon, Wanganui; Rogerson, Westport; Woon, Hokitika ; |Rich, Timaru. The Weather. —After a fortnight’s good weather farmers were disappointed on Thursday morning to wake up and find that they had not got things all their own way yet. The rain was of a very mild nature, but thick enough to do a great deal of harm if it continued. On Thursday evening it rained heavier than in the earlier part of the day, but on Friday morning it showed signs of abatement, only a few light showers falling at intervals.

Land for Settlement. Forty-two runs, totalling 287,000 acres, fall in in Southland shortly, and will be opened up for settlement. Geraldine Rifles. The annual meeting of the Geraldine Rifle corps will be held ,on Thursday evening next, after parade. Absentees will be fined. Wilful Damage. Recently about 50 panes of glass in the High School gymnasium, Dunedin, were wantonly destroyed in one day or night. The governors have decided to offer a reward. The Geraldine Fair.— The harvest taking up the whole attention at present, there was a very meagre attendance of farmers at the Geraldine live stock sale on Wednesday, and the pens were not overfull of stock.

Death at a Dentist’s. —Emily Callick, 30 years of age, wife of a railway surfaceman, died at Dunedin on Thursday while under chloroform. She was having some teeth extracted at Mr Meyers’s dentistry. Dr McPherson administered the chloroform, and shortly afterwards he noticed the pulse cease suddenly. Efforts were made to restore animation but without avail.

Licensing Cases, Court, Wellington, on Thursday, the Chief Justice and Judge Richmond refused a writ of certiorari in the Wanganui licensing cases. William Odgers and Edward Mcllwain were each refused a renewal of license at the June meeting. They held that the fact that teetotal members had announced, before the election, that they intended to refuse certain licenses did not invalidate their position. Fatal Accidents. A boy named Polglaise was drowned in the Mangatainoko river on Wednesday while bathing. —Mrs Beattie was drowned yesterday morning in trying to cross the Hapuka river, Kaikoura, in a van, and deceased with the van and horses was washed out to sea. She was the wife of Mr Beattie, of the firm of Black, Beattie and Co., Christchurch. —A boy named John Murphy, 14 years old, son of a Fairfax, (Southland), settler, has been killed by a fall from a horse. Bible in Schools. —At a meeting of the Presbytery, at Dunedin, the Bible in schools question was discussed, the opinion being generally expressed that it was not much use in approaching Parliament by petition as proposed. It was eventually resolved to take up the petition at a special meeting. It was resolved to place on record the deep sense of the great loss sustained by the death of theßev. C. H. Spurgeon, and express sympathy with the bereaved relatives.

Suicide. James Hughes, a storeman, committed suicide during Wednesday night or Thursday morning at his house in Vernon Street, Freeman’s Bay, Auckland. He had been drinking since the New Year, and when he came home on Wednesday night quarrelled with his wife. She went into the house of a neighbor and stopped all night. When she tried to get into the house next morning she found the door locked, and on looking through a window saw her husband suspended by a clothes line. Co-operative Works. —ln answer to allegations of undue profit to contractors under the co-operative system, the Public Works Department state that no contract is let to any one man ; all are let to gangs, one member of each of which is elected head-man to deal with the Department; but all are on an equal footing of employment. Wages men are not allowed under any circumstances on the Eketahuna section, which is regarded as typical. The rates for earth-work range from Is to Is 6d per cubic yard, and other rates in pro-

portion. Primitive Methodist Church, Temuka.—At a meeting of the congregation of the Primitive Methodist Church, Temuka, on Wednesday, the Rev. W. C. Wood gave an account of the business done at the conference recently held in Christchurch. The rev. gentleman gave statistics to show that the Church in the colony had made progress in every department of her work during the year, and showed that her outlook was bright. The speaker spoke of his approaching removal to Wellington, and regretted that it would sever a relationship that had been of the most friendly character. General regret was felt by the people, and it was decided to hold a public tea on February 25, to bid farewell to Rev. Mr Wood, particulars of which will be advertised in this paper. Jubilee Celebration in Nelson. —On Wednesday and Thursday a regatta was held, crews from Auckland. Wellington and Christchurch competing. On Wednesday a successful race meeting was held, and the school childrens’ carnival in the Botanical Gardens for which the jubilee committee voted £IOO, was a great success. Children from all parts of the province attended. The production of the Oratoria “ Sampson ” by the Harmonic Society on Wednesday night was a pronounced success. The mayor received the following tejegram frqm Lord Onslow from the Bluff Have just arrived from Sounds to learn how well your celebration of Nelson jubilee went off, and congratulate you sincerely and wish every prosperity to Nelsonpeople.” Congratulatory messages from all parts of the colony have been received, including one from Sir G. Grey. The North — The report of H. W, Wilson, the engineer, who represented the Northern Railway League, Auckland, in the recent Stratford expedition, has been given to the league. He estimates the cost of) a six-foot bridle track for eighty-ope miles of the route at £B4OO, and u bridge over the faurajigarakau river at £BOOO. In Mr Wilsqh’s opinion the cpst of making a railway by this route would be small compared with the amount which would be required for the central railway, as there a*?e '50.9 engineering difficulties on the Stratford )ipe. He 490? not think the country there could be surpassed for grazing purposes, afl'l there ate seams of coal which are reported to be d: excellent quality. Water is abundant, small creeks and streams being very numerous. The league proposed to call g public meeting to urge upon the Government action in the wmy of opening up the country on the Stratford route. The Christchurch Election. The hearing pf Mr Eden George’s petition against Mr Ebene?er Saudford’s election for ChristchuTfih, took place at Christchurch on Thursday.* before Justin Denniston and Williams. There was a strong oaf engaged —Messrs Harper, Stringer, and Cohen for petitioner, and Sir R. Stout and Mr Donnelly against. The petition alleged that Messrs Sandford, J. T, Smith and George were candidates, that petitioner’s nomination was lodged seven clear days before the election, and that those of the others were not. George claims that he should have been declared elected instead of Sandford. The facts were admitted. George was nominated on October Ist, Sandford and Smith on October 2nd, and the election took place on the 9th. Sir R. Stout quoted an Order-in-Council validating Mr Sandford’s election. Beyond this the nominations of Messrs Sandford and

Smith were valid, as they had in September advertised in the papers their intention of standing, and their nominations were in pursuance of these notifications. After argument by counsel the court reserved its judgment till '■> 30 on Saturday morning.

Land Board. At the fortnightly meeting of the Canterbury Land Board at Christchurch on Thursday, the following lands were disposed of for cash: —Geraldine town sections 290 and 298, each 1 rood, to James W. Pye; lot 8, reserve 285, near Winchester containing 1 acre, to Charles W. Ilalliday.

Athletic. —We have received the following telegram with regard to the New Zealand Athletic and Bicycle Championship Sports held in Christchurch yesterday:— 250 Yards Flat—First Heat, Hempton 1, Gurr 2, Hutchison 3; time, 27 2-sth secs. Second Heat, Wood 1, Buchanan 2, Low 3 ; time, 27£secs. Three-Mile Walk—Cook 1, Burton 2, Bait 3 ; time, 23min 15 2-sth secs. Half-Mile Flat Grierson 1, Rees 2, Wood 3.

Photography.— Mr J. McCaskey, photographer, Temuka and Geraldine, has just completed some enlarged photographs that do credit to kis skill. One is the house and grounds of Mr Job Brown, Temuka, another from a group taken by a French photographer, and the third of Mr Hay, of Epworth, who died at Temuka some years ago through an accident. The latter is an especially creditable production, as the original photo was much damaged from immersion in flood water. The enlargements are now on view at Mr McCaskey’s shop and are worth a visit. The Proposed Taxation.— Mr Crombie, Commissioner of Taxes, who has not yet recovered from the effects of influenza by which he was seized two or three months ago, is at present on his way to Tasmania upon sick leave. He will be absent for five or six weeks, and in the meantime Mr McGowan, Deputy Commissioner, will have full charge of the Department. Some seventy-four extra clerks are just now employed upon work connected with the change in the taxation system. About three-fourths of the assessors appointed for the different parts of the colony have already sent in their returns to the Department, but it will take some months to prepare and send out notices to landowners and carry out all the other works of detail.

1.0.0. F. Social. The installation social of the Victoria Lodge, Geraldine was held on Thursday evening in the Oddfellows Hall, when, notwithstanding the miserable state of the weather, the hall was well filled with people, some having come from as far distant as Fairlie Creek, Orari and other places. Dancing commenced about 9 o’clock to music supplied by Messrs Hullen Bros., and Mr Richardson, of Orari, acting as M.C. The Hall was festooned with flags, interspered with evergreens, which presented a pleasing sight, while the young people were doing “the light fantastic.” During intervals in the evening songs were sung by Misses Pye (Fairlie Creek), and Messrs Kroon, King, Richardson and Nicholas. A good spread of refreshments was provided by the lodge, and as on the whole a pleasant time was spent, dancing ceasing before daylight.

Cricket. —The second test match between Lord Sheffield’s team and the Australians concluded at Sydney on Wednesday, the Australians winning with 72 runs to spare. The scores were: Lord Sheffield’s team —First innings 306, second 156; Australians —First innings 143, second 391. The result was received by the spectators with enthusiastic delight and the Australians were cheered to the echo. The third test match between the Australians and the Englishmen will be played at Adelaide. The Australian team will be the same as have played, except that Moses will be replaced by either Donan or Gregory. Accident,— On last Thursday morning Mr Michael Duggan met with a rather nasty accident at Messrs Aspinall & Co.’s mill. Mr Duggan wanted to come down from the mill to town on a young mare he had recently broken in. He had left his saddle in town, and consequently determined on making a bag supply its place. As soon as he got on the mare she began to kick and rear, and eventually she threw her rider heavily to the ground. Mr Duggan fell on his head on a heap of shingle, and was for a short time rendered unconscious, and when he recoverd he found that there was a nasty cut about two inches long in his head, from which blood flowed profusely. He was also very much bruised, and he made the best of his way to Dr Hayes, who dressed the wound. He is getting on very well, but the accident was one which might have cost him his life. Immigration and Emigration. A return published in Thursday night’s Gazette shows that the number of arrivals in the colony during the year ended 31st December last, was 14,431, and departures 17,629, leaving an excess of emigration over immigation of 3198. Of the arrivals 2435 were from the United Kingdom, 6696 from New South Wales, 3712 from Victoria, 389 from Hawaii and South S#as ; whilst in the list of departures 1705 to the United Kingdom 9883 to New South Wales, 3841 to Victoria, and 1159 to Tasmania,, In most instances the balance was in favour of emigration. Taking the principal ports 3265 persons left by of Auckland, 5358 by Wellington, 4004 by the Bluff ; while 4600 of the new comers landed at Auckland, 6041 at Wellington, 1311 at Lyttelton and 4973 at the Bluff. During the year 160 Chinaman left and 5 arrived. Last month the arrivals exceeded the departures by 736. Struck by Lightning. —An unusually violent thunderstorm passed over the Masterton district on Thursday afternoon, lasting about two hours. Rain fell in torrents, and the thunder at rimes was very heavy and lightning fearfully vivid. It is redorted from Opaki that one man was struck dead, another paralysed, and four horses killed. — ; A later telegram says : The rumour that a man had been killed by

lightning a t Opaki turns out to he incorrect, althonge twq men had a narrow escapei' They were unharnessing in the stable at Captain Holwood’s when a flash of lightning passed through the building and struck six horses dead. Both men were knocked down, and it was thought one was killed. Ity Beard qn his arrival found this was hot sq, iibe men were only paralysed. The horses killed were valued at £l5O. No other serious damage is reported. Gazette Notices. Returns published

in the Gazette show that the total estimated population of the colony (inclusive of Maoris) on the 31st December, 1891, was 675,776, made up of 358,913 males, and 316,862 females. The increase from the sth’April (the date on which the census was taken) to the 31st December, was 7399. The excess of births over deaths for that period was 9015, but from this had to be taken 1646, representing the excess of departures over arrivals.—The appointments of Albert Joseph Muller to be Deputy Registrar of births, marriages, and deaths for the district of Temuka, and of J. M. Twomey, of Temuka, to be Justice of the Peace for the colony, were gazetted on Thursday night.—The resignations of Capt. William Reece, of the Canterbury Mounted Rifle Volunteers, and Lieut. George Hanmer, of the Christ’s College Rifle Volunteers, have been accepted.—The interpretation of the Customs and Excise Duties Act, 1888, in regard to certain articles, by the Commissioner of Trades and Customs, is contained in the same night’s Gazette.

Legislative Council Appointments.— At Thursday’s meeting of the Trades and Labor Council, Wellington, a communication was read from the Premier, simply acknowledging the receipt of the Council’s resolution re appointments to the Legislative Council. The Premier expressed no opinion regarding the resolution. At the New Zealand Cycle Works there is a special plant for Nickel and Copper Plating of cycles. All bright parts receive a deposit of copper before being nickel plated.—Adams, Curties k Co., bO, Manchester street, Christchurch. Cycles from £5. —lO SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS. A, M. Clark—Wants a boy. Primitive Methodist Church —Services to-morrow. Wesleyan Church, Temuka—Services for to-morrow. W. Carston, Winchester —Has a new farm dray for sale cheap. In Bankruptcy—Ee Edward Dartneil O’Neill, of Pleasant Point, laborer. J. A. Young, Winchester—Wants to purchase a good quiet milking cow. G.R.V.—Annual meeting of the Geraldine Rifles on Thursday evening. D. Owers & Co., Stafford Street, Timaru —Are still prepared to supply goods at prices charged at Temuka branch, carriage paid. J. Mundell & Co. —Entries for live stock sale on Tuesday; sell butcher’s stock and plant, including horses, pigs, cart, harness, etc., immediately after stock sale.