LOCAL & GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2316, 9 February 1892, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL.

Bad News.—The crops near Napier have """lured by heavy showers and being been , n s t o ok, owing- to the left too long .. scarcity of labour. •- —Owinc The Geraldine. Road Board. ■'-„ to the rivers being high, members of t u „ Geraldine Road Board did not attend yesterday till fully" an hour after time. Fatal Accident.—Three Maoris went fishing at the mouth of the Ngaruroro, Hawkes Bay, on Thursday. The boat upset and two of the occupants reached shore, the third was drowned. Calls to the Upper House.—A Wellington telegram says:—Full Cabinet meetings will be held this week, at which I the proposed appointments to the Legislative Council will be considered.

Found Drowned.—Robert Taylor.an old expressman, was found drowned in the Wellington harbour on Saturday morning. Nothing is known as to how Taylor ca m e in the water, but he had been drinking, hird lately. Promotion.—Mr Andrew Hart, senior landing waiter in the Wellington Customs office.will be appointed Collector at Timaru, and will be replaced by Mr C. Sibbald.at present senior landing waiter at Auckland. Mr Hart was for many years in the customs in Timaru under the late Mr C. E. Cooper. Travellers' Tales. Truly, says the Auckland Star, we go from home for news. The Honolulu Bulletin of December 17, reports the following piece of intelligence :—" Passengers on the steamer Alameda report that as the steamer was leaving Auckland three volcanic eruptions were seen to take place. The scene was a brilliant one." Not more brilliant, however, than the imaginations of the highly strung passengers who saw the " eruption."

Wreck op a Homeward-Bound Ship.— A telegram from Invercargil on Sunday says:—The barque Star of Erin, Captain Honkins, which left the Bluff for London on Saturday, has gone ashore at Wa'papa reef, ami is a total loss. All hands were saved. The ship had been delayed by an easterly wind, and left when it shifted to the southward. Since then the wind has come np strong from the south-east, and this probably caused the loss of the ship. The wreck is a mile from the lighthouse and occurred at midnight. A boat and ten men reached Fortrose at 9 a.m. The mate and one man landed at Waipapa, and the captain and the remainder of the crew have since lauded. At 11 a.m. only the niizzeiiraast was standing,

Auckland Mining.—The results of work at the Sylvia mine, Thames, from the 22nd December till the 29th January, are 2786 ounces of bullion from 103 tons of concentrates. The value of the bullion is £2119.

Roman Catholic Chukch.—A pretty Roman Catholic church in North-east Valley, Dunedin, was opened on Sunday morning by Dr Moran, after which Dr Grimes, Roman Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, preached.

Plucky Rescue.—A gallant rescue from drowning occurred at Christchurch on Thursday evening. A girl, eleven years old, fell into the Avon near Kilmore street, and Thomas Coulter, City Council carter, though unable to swim, plunged into ten feet of water, seized the girl, and struggled to land with her. She was almost gone when he seized her.

The Pahiatua Poisonings.—Mr Skey is still engaged in analysing the biscuits and ingredients sent by a settler near Pahiatua. The materials were obtained in Woodville from a grocer, who sold the same stuff to other people, none of whom have complained of it. The biscuits which caused suspicion were made a week after the Pahiatua poisoning case. Colonel Hume being away, the result of the report made is not officially known, but it is understood that poison was found in the materials handed to Mr Skey.

Hawkes Bay Ram Fair.—The Hawkes' Bay ram fair concluded at Napier on Friday. On Thursday, when stud sheep only were offered, though the attendance was large, bidding was slow for even firstclass animals, and commoner sheep were entirely neglected. The highest prices were 43 and 41 guineas for two rams from the studs of Matehew Holmes, Canterbury, and Fred Sutton, Southland. Reid's averaged £l4 8s 9d, Fred Sutton's £l4 3s lid, J. B. Sutton's £9 9s, Matthew Holmes' £lB 18s. Down and Marsh sheep brought low prices. At the sale of flock rams on Friday there was much more animation, and good averages were made by all the leading breeders, everything being quitted.

On Newspapers. There is an extravagant grandeur, which commands our admiration, about the way in which our Tory contemporaries have been dressing up the naked truth lately. Not long ago the Timaru Herald told us that there were only 15 newspapers in the colony supporting the Government, but we published the names of 16 Government papers between Invercargill and Christchurch, and now we find we could add two more to the number, making the number 18 altogether. Next day, however, the Herald repeated the assertion, but this is out done by the North Otago Times, the Oamaru morning paper, which tells us there are only 12 papers in New Zealand in favor of the Government. All we desire to say is that if this is the truth it is dressed in false raiment which does not fit it well. It is no wonder that no one pays much attention to what newspapers say when they do not hesitate to publish such unblushing falsehoods.

Accident to a Mare.—A serious accident occurred to a mare of Mr J. B. Wareing's a few days ago. It was lent to a well known stockman for riding purposes, and was on one occasion paddocked near the Washdyke, in a section abutting the railway. The passing train alarmed the mare, and she jumped at the wire fence which was topped, as usual, with barb wire. The wire was slack, and the mare fell violently, cutting the " forearm " of the off foreleg clean to the bone. As soon as possible the wound was sewn up by Mr Marquis, veterinary surgeon, of Timaru, but the stitches shortly afterwards broke, and allowed the flesh to hang down. Yesterday the wound was attended by Mr N. C. Nicholas, of Temuka, when it presented a ghastly sight. Mr Nicholas hopes to heal it up, but there must necessarily be a blemish. The mare is a 4-year-old, by Tam o' Shanter, and was purchased by Mr Wareing from Mr Grigg, of Longbeach. He was twice offered £35 for the mare.

Jubilee Celebration at Nelson.— After mid-day on Tuesday, the weather cleared, enabling the Volunteer review to take place in the Botanical Reserve, where the local and country corps assembled together with a detachment of bluejackets from H.M.S. Ringarooma. After various manoeuvres had been gone through, the Minister of Defence addressed the men, congratulating them on their efficiency. He thanked Captain Bourke for allowing his men to take part in the review, and mentioned that this was the first time that the men of the new colonial warships had taken part in a shore demonstration. He was glad to see the Ringarooma men taking part in the day's work, and thought that such action would tend to make popular the arrangements entered into between the colonies and the Imperial Goverment regarding the colonial navy. He assured the Volunteers that as long as long as he was at the head of the Defence Department he would do all in his power to encourage the massing of Volunteers, as he considered it would bring the men into a high state of efficiency. Another fireworks display on Tuesday night was ' *-"ided by a large number of spectators. a , tto -. u""" celebrations are practically The .. are joying Nelson in ended, and visitor*.

large numbers. Banquet to the Govebnor. farewell banquet to the Governor in the Dunedin Garrison Hall was attended by about 200 persons. The Mayor presided, and was supported by the PostmasterGeneral, and nearly all the Otago members of both Houses. The toast of the Governor was proposed by Mr E. B. Car gill, vice-chairman, who said that Lord Onslow had entered on the management of the affairs of the colony with a degree of zeal and heartiness which could not have been surpassed. After expressing appreciation of the admirable manner in which he had peforined all hi« functions, and the great regret at his leaving, he concluded by expressing the hope that Lord Onslow had a long and prosperous career before him. His Excellency in reply thanked the proposer for the manner in which he had proposed the toast, and those present for the enthusiastic reception given it. He said that he found all parties prepared to look on the Governor as an honest man endeavouring to do his duty. He would never be able to repay the , kindness he had received. He would always entertain a love and affection for this colony which must tinge the whole course of action of his future life. He conclude] amidst loud and enthusiastic cheers. The fcoast of the Ministry and Parliament was proposed by Mr G. L. Denaiston. The Postmasfcer-General in responding said that when Lord Onslow returned to England lie would, no matter what his political opinions might be, carry with him the good feeling and best wishes of a large portion of the people of New Zealand. The Hon, W. H, Reynolds, Messrs Pinkerton and Fish, also responded to the toast ; Mr Fish expressing the conviction that the time would never come when the people of the colony woulr] desire to abolish the Legislative Council. The other toasts were the " City Council," " Commercial and Pastoral Interests," and " The Press." The proceedings concluded with three cheers for Lord and Lady, Onslow,

Fatal Coach Accident.—Mcintosh, the coach driver, has died from the injuries received in the recent accident near Dunedin. He leaves a widow and five grown-up children. O

Fire.—At Gisborne on Saturday, a fourteen-roomed boarding-house, named the " Cottage of Content," owned by William Adair, and occupied by Mrs M'lntosh, was destroyed by fire. The insurances are.—On the building, £250 in the New Zealand office; furniture £250 in the Royal office. The Mystery Explained. A contemporary humorously remarks: —" We might have known it if we had but given the matter a thought. The weather of late years is due to the carryings-on of that hussy Venus with Jupiter. So on a recent Sunday declared Sir Robert Ball, astronomer royal for Ireland. According to this expert observer, we are still passing through an ice age. This return of a glacial epoch results from the gallivantings of Jupiter and Venus, which we are told are " disturbed," especially Venus. Not content with all the other mischief she has done, not satisfied with making fools of men, Venus is now engaged in the no doubt enjoyable task of drawing the earth out of its orbit into the regions where the fog and iceberg factories are.

Late Train. Yesterday afternoon when people began to gathor at tne railway station to see the express from the south they were surprised to hear that owing to the. Waihao bridge being injured, the train would not reach Temuka before 7 p.m. At that hour it was again given out that the train would not arrive before 9 p.m., and this proved true. At 9 o'clock sharp the train arrived, but it turned out that it was not the express but a train from Oamaru. The express, it appears did not come as far as Oamaru at all, as the Waihemo bridge has been washed away, so neither mails nor passengers from Dunedin came further than that yesterday. His Excellency the Governor was aboard the express, and has been delayed like ordinary people. He was to have been banquetted to-day in Christchurch, but it is doubtful whether he will reach thero in time. It appears that several bridges have been considerably damaged all along the line, but with the exception of the Waihemo bridge it is expected that the line will be fit for traffic to-day. Cukious Circus Tragedy in Lisbon. —For a wager of £BOO, and the distinction of rivalling the notorious circus performer, Jenny Weiss, the Comte Edouard Bomero, well known in Lisbon society, ventured upon a feat a day or two ago which in all probability (the Paris correspondent of the Morning Advertiser thinks) will cost him his life. The fair equestrian has appeared in most of the capitals of Europe, earning as much fame by her daring in the arena as by her capture of the Baron von Eahden, who led her to the altar, and who now enjoys the satisfaction of seeing his name starred on circus bills. One of her professional accomplishments consists of throwing herself back whilst riding a horse trained to walk upon its hind legs. Lying head downwards along the (animal's back, she partly makes a circuit of the ring. The Comte Edouard Romero, a wealthy member of the Lisbon l " Sport Club," wagered that he would execute the same tour. The thoroughbred chosen by the Comte, however, lost his equilibrium, fell backwards, and crushed his rider, a nail or pm attached to the saddle penetrating the abdomen and inflicting a horrible wound. Jenny Weiss has been performing at the Colysen dos Recreious, Lisbon. The Comte's condition is said to be hopeless. Native Land Question.— Major Kemp, in view of the recent Native meeting at Parakino, is circulating among the Maoris of the North Island a petition to the House of Representatives, in which the demands of the Natives with respect to their land are set forth. Practically the following demands are embodied in this document, translated by Colonel McDonnell: Native lands to be conducted under leases, for time leases on improvements and on other terms which may be beneficial to those owning land. After all leases expire the land to return to the owners with all improvements. 2. To be selected from tribes, members for Committees not to exceed twelve, who will appoint a chairman, under whom they will act, and they will conduct all matters concerning Native lands in future, such as surveys and law matters and leases that may be entertained by the tribe or tribes whose land or lands are under the Committee. 3. The Parliament of New i Zealand is to make these Committees law. 4. Parliament shall appoint a person or persons to decide rehearings. 5. Parliament shall proclaim districts and appoint the respective Committees, and the conducting of business shall be in accordance with the ancestral boundaries of the respective tribes. 6. All precious metals and valuable stones found on Native lands shall be dealt with by the Native owners. 7. Rates shall be paid by the lessees of the lands, and be equal to 2| per cent, of the moneys paid to the lessor per annum. The rates shall be paid yearly. When the lease is up all rates shall cease to be levied on land that is not under lease to anyone, 8. All Native Land Court laws shall be utterly abolished and doa& away with, and all persons who are administering fche §amej or who are working under its laws,

The Ghetstghuroh Election.—Judgment in the Christchureh election petition was delivered at Chrietchurch on Saturday. It commenced by stating that the Judges were satisfied, both on principle and authority, that Mr George could not claim thejseat. The whole object of the election laws was to give the constituencies free and fair opportunity of choosing a candidate. The natural result of the mistake in the Returning Officer's notice fixing the day for sending in nomination papers was to mislead intending candidates, and Mr Sandford and Mr Smith were misled by it. If the returning officer had declared Mr George elected it would have been impossible to hold it as good, as the constituency, by she blunder of the Returning Officer in the performance fjf a statutory duty, woiild have been deprived of the right of choice, In a case like the present, where a majority of electors have elected the candidate they preferred, the court should hesitate to set aside the election unless absolutely compelled by law to do so. The names of Mr Sandford and Mr Smith were accepted by the Returning Officer as candidates, and advertised by him, and there was no reason to suppose that by his action any othe persons were prevented : from becoming candidates. As Mr George owing to the mistake of the Returning Officer would have had no right to the seat if returned, he was not deprived of any vrsted right bv the acceptance of the ". ndidature of Messrs Sandford and Smith. Without expressly deciding the point of validation the Court was satisfied that the power of validation given to the Governorin- Council extends to the present case, and had been efficiently exercised. In the opinion of the Court there was an accidental misfeasance in the mistake of

the Returning Officer. As to costs, petitioner had claimed the seat after a tolerably clear expression by the constituency that it did not want him, and if under such circumstances a person chooses to make use of what is little more than a technical legal ground to endeavour to force himself on a constituency as a representative, and fails, he ought to pay the costs of the proceedings, and an order will be made accordingly. Thk " Stab " Bicycle, with tangent spokes to both wheels, reolus ball bearings to both wheels and pedals, beautifully enamelled and nickel-plated. Price £l9 on terms, £l7 lis 6d cash.—Adams, Curties and Co., 70, Manchester street, Christchurch. Cycles from £5. —ll

SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS,

L. Rooke—For sale stubble feed. J. Meredith—Lost bicycle wheel. J. M. Sutherland—For sale daisy cart. W. England, Waitohi—Wanes work at carting in. J. Mundell & Co.—Notice re stock sale at Temuka to-day. W. Carston, Unpertaker,—Funeral notice re the late Mrs G. Cliff.

Colemane & Sons Notice re special Eucalypte Oil and Extract. Mrs Timson, Qualified Nurse, Temuka— Is prepared to receive ladies. J. Philp, Sheffield Warehouse, Timaru— Has Black, Golden, Englebert's, and Castor Oils, and Belting on sale; special quotations.