LOCAL & GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2321, 20 February 1892, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL.

Suspicious.—The Government Analyst has found traces of blood on the clothes submitted to him in connection with the murder of Dalton at Eketahuna. Personal.—A letter was received yesterday from the Rev. John Dickson, stating that he intended to leave immediately for New Zealand. The letter was dated the sth of January, so the rev. gentleman may be expected to arrive within the next couple of weeks. Rather Wet.—Several young ladies of Geraldine got hold of a flat-bottomed punt the other day and went out for a quiet row by themselves in a lagoon not far from Geraldine. They did not understand the navigation of a punt for, we hear, they came out shortly afterwards from—the water, not the punt, and it is said they had a wet time of it floundering about in three feet of water to reach the bank. Village Settlement Produce. —Mr H. Goodey, of Ai’owhenua, brought to our office yesterday, as a specimen of what the settlers in the village settlements are doing, several fine cucumbers and a number of apples. All are splendid specimens of their kind; the apples are remarkably fine and free from blight, and speak volumes in favor of the soil they were produced in, and the pains bestowed in their culture. The Primitive Methodist Church.— The Rev. W. C. Wood, who for the past twelve months has laboured in the Geraldine and Temuka district, having been

appointed to one of the Wellington ] City churches, will conduct services for the last time in the Temuka church to-morrow afternoon and evening. The rev. gentleman during his stay has made himself well known on the platform and off, and no doubt the congregations will be large at his farewell services. The members of the church at Temuka hold a public tea on Thursday, 25th, and among the speakers will be the Revs. Woodward and W. Woollass; the latter being Mr Wood’s successor. St. Saviour’s Church.— The vestry of St. Saviour’s Cliurc.i have received from Mr C. J. Rayner a donation of £2O towards the building fund of St. Saviour’s Sunday School, and from Mr A. B. G. Rhodes one of £lO for the like object. The new Sunday School, it is almost needless to say, is already becoming of use in various ways. It is very handy as a place of public meeting, but its principal use lately has been in the holding of a “ sewing bee.” The ladies of the congregation meet there x-egularly on Thursday afternoons, and with the aid of a couple of sewing machings and their own deft fingers turn out a lot of useful articles' that should realize a good sum towards the extinction of the comparatively small debt now remaining. Dunedin Art Gallery. —The Otago Daily Times in commenting on the cablegram stating that a numerous and valuable art collection has been secured for the Dunedin Art Gallery says :—“ We have made inquiries in various directions as to the meaning of the cablegram. So far as can be ascertained, there is no ‘ art agent ’ for the Dunedin Art Gallery in Great Britain. Mr W. M. Hodgkins, when referred to, said the only suggestion I{§ gqijld make as to the foundation for the message is that two or three friends residing at Home who have been written to may have responded to the request for donations to the Art Gallery. Wo can only hope, therefore, that the message is correct, and that we may soon have a large and valuable collection.” js'.Z. at itie Tasmanian Exhibition.— The names of the fallowing New Zealand exhibitors appear in the pulished lists of flWterfls ftt the Launceston Exhibition: — T, *•* aJidOray, Dunedin—Chaff cutter, first •' barrow, ftfst award, seed drill; award; disc- - Mangle and Jffiffows, special first awaru, x and On. for collection. Booth, iu .. 1 —Disc seed harrows ; first award, iron w. mill (built entirely of iron and steel), special first award, double furrow plough, first award. Andrews and Beaven, Christchurch Travelling self-bagging chaffcutter, horse gear, corncrushers, cleaners, special first award for collective exhibit. P. J. Bellett, Dunedin —Black, blue black, and copying ink, scarlet ink, gold paint, raven black, cold water ink, first award. W. J. Meek, Dunedin—Blue black, copying, and colored inks, first award. Midland Railway Company, Limited, New Zealand Map of Canterbury and Westland, highly commended. Magisterial. At the courthouse, Temuka, on Friday before J. T. M. Hayhurst and M. Quinn, Bsqrs., J.P’s. William Smith, apparently a swagger, was charged (1) with with being drunk in a public place, (2) with using obscene language, (3) indecent exposure and, (4) with resisting the police in the execution of their duty. From the evidence of Mr Alderton station master, at Temuka, and of Constable Morton it appeared that the accused went to the railway station at Temuka in a drunken condition. He committed an act of indecency on the public platform and when spoken to used most obsene language. He was arrested with considerable difficulty, the services of the station master, porter and another being required to remove him from the platfom. He had eventually to be taken to the lock-up in a cart. After hearing the evidence the bench were of opinion that the charges were fully proved. Accused would bo convicted and discharged on the charges of drunkenness and resisting the police, and sentenced to 3 mouths’ imprisonment with hard labour for using obscene language and indecent exposure. The sentences to rim concurrently.

Alleged Arson. —At Christchurch on Wednesday, Emmanuel Font, cook of the American ship Everest, was committed for trial on a charge of wilfully setting fire to the ship whilst in the graving dock.

Alleged Embezzlement. William Mordon was committed for trial at Christchurch on four charges of embezzling various sums of money, amounting to SL2— 2s (>d, the property of his employer, Richard Smith, plumber.

Address by the Premier. The i?rcmier addressed a crowded meeting at Palmerston North on Wednesday night on the main planks of the Government policy. A vote of thanks and confidence in the Government was unanimously carried.

The Bishop of Christchurch. — The Bishop of Christchurch lectured at Wellington on Thursday night on "Outcast London” in aid of the hospital patients library. The Hon. Mr Seddon presided. The theatre was crowded, and the lecture was received with great enthusiasm.

I)r Barnardo’s Homes. —A lecture and entertainment by the Rev. J. Mayers and his company of boys from Dr Barnardo’s Homes, was given in the Timaru Theatre Royal on Thursday evening, and netted no less than £()0. The boys gave some very pretty selections on the handbells.

Cost of Shipping Grain. —As there is some inquiry at the present time as to the charges incurred in shipping wheat Home, we (“ North Otago Times ”) may state that we have seen the return of four lots of wheat sent Home last year. The total charges in these instances averaged Is 3fd.

Alleged Cruelty to a. Horse. —At Auckland the telegraph lineman, Cross, has been temporarily suspended from duty until the charge of mutilation of his horse at Hamilton has been heard. Cross has been for nearly thirty-eight years in the Government service, and stood well in the esteem of the officers of the Department.

The Amende Honourable. The Marton Mercury apologised to the Hon. John Bryce for alleged libellous strictures passed upon him in that paper on the 12th insb. The editor states that he was under a misapprehension when he assumed that a son of Mr Bryce was the purchaser of the jjerpetual lease section,

Native Representative.— The Government have decided to resume the practice of having a native representative on the Executive Council, and the position has been ottered to Mr Carroll, member for the Eastern Maori district. The salary att iched to the office is £IOO. There has been no native member since 1879, though two are provided for.

The Pahiatua Poisoning Case. A Wellington telegram says; —lt will be remembered that shortly after the poisoning of the wedding party at Pahiatua some home-made biscuits made by Mrs Marsh in the same district were supposed to contain poison, and samples were sent to the Government analyst. He reports the discovery of arsenic in them. Found Dead. —An old man, named William Bull, residing by himself in a hut on his farm, at Weedons, was found dead on Tuesday. He was seen alive last week. When found he had been dead several days. The deceased was apparently about GO years of age, and his name is in the list of longlost relatives published in Lloyd’s Weekly.

Old Style to be Reverted to. —The Hon. W. H. Reynolds had an interview with the Hon. J. G. Ward at Dunedin on Wednesday on the sudject of the alteration recently made in the method of charging for telegraphic messages. After explaining the dissatisfaction felt, and the inconvienience caused, the PostmasterGeneral said he would give instructions that the old method of charging should be reverted to. Fatal Accidents.— The Native woman who fell into a boiling spring at Wharaknrewa a few days ago, has died from the effects of the scalding.—A young man named George Sommerville, aged twentyseven. was lost overboard from the steamer Mawhera ou her passage from Greymouth to Wellington. Sommerville was chief steward of the steamer Oreti, but had been in the hospital for some time, and was on his way to join his vessel again,—A bushman named Daniel Lynch was working with his brother in Ngunguru Bush, Auckland, when a log fell on him and crushed him to death -

Native Trouble. —Kerei Kahu, arrested at Auckland on the charge of inciting Raima to remove the survey flag near Waiuku, has been committed for trial. Tawhaio has written to Mr Cadman, claiming certain land at Mangare aud Tamaki, near Auckland, which he says belonged to his father Tewherewhere. It is to assert his claim that the trig flag was removed. When Mr Cadman was at Auckland Tawhaio tried to get an interview with him, but as he left it to the last moment Mr Cadman could not see Mm. Nothing will be done in the matter till Mr Cadman returns to Auckland. Farmers Insurance Society. The first annual meeting of the Canterbury Fanners’ Co-operative Insurance Society was held at Christchurch on- Wednesday. The directors report, which was adopted, recommended a dividend of 5 per cent per annum, and stated that the gross premiums during the year amount to—Fire £1539, marine, £275G ; £242 fire premiums, and £lBOl marine premiums have been paid as reinsurances. The losses paid and ascertained at December amount to—tire £l2O, maride AlB9. After providing for the appropriation of £454, sufficient to reinsure current risks, together with £ll7 for the directors’ and auditors’ fees, the balance available for distribution was e.r sA

The Shingle Shieting Question.— The following is Messrs Acton and Mee’s reply to the petition forwarded to them prayino- for delay in the purchase of shingle shifting plant“ To Alex. Mee Esq., and other ratepayers of the Levels district. “ Gentlemen,— -In reply f,Q your requisition, dated 17th inst., the Timaru RaidJour Board has not as yet considered the purchase of any plant for the removal of shingle, and mnij, when it is under consideration, provide for this necessity in conjunction with the dredging inside the harbour. The present Board was elected in February, 1891, with express authority to deal with the question of the shingle accumulation, and as the next ejection will not take place until February 1893, we must decline to refrain from doing whatever may, in our judgment, be our duty during the fpl) year which will intervene. We hope that ‘ the 1 magnitude of the interests involved’ will assure you that whatever course we may support will be based upon a careful attention to the evidence of which we are in possession, and on the advice of the four engineers to whom the question was referred by the consent of the entire Harbour Board. So many proofs have been afforded us of the various misrepresentations under cover of Avhich many of your signatures have been obtained, that wc desire to assure you that we arc, aud always have been, distinctly opposed to any proposal for obtaining auy j more money ou loan for any purpose whatever We feel sure that your soaso of | justice will approve, aud will support us iu declining to sacrifice our self-respect aud independence, without which we should he of no value to you."

Angling.—Some capital fishing is now being had in the Opihi. On Wednesday a party of three rods landed 30. weighing 88;{11>. All the fish were in excellent condition . Tug Geraldine Ceaieteby. The beauty of the Geraldine Cemetery, has been greatly enhanced by the addition of a handsome marble headstone erected over the grave of the late Mrs Allan McDonald.

D gnedin Races. —ln our advertisingcolumns will be found the train arrangements for the Dunedin Races, which take place next week. The return fares are 37s fid first class and 20s second class, and a special night train, by which excursionists can return, will leave Dunedin for Christchurch at 9.45 on Saturday evening. Su'eaebes and Laboeebs Union.— Members of tbe Geraldine branch of the Amalgamated Shearers and Laborers Union and others interested are reminded that a public meeting takes place in the Geraldine Oddfellows’ Hall this evening, when Mr J. R. McDonald, delegate from Australia, will explain the position of the Australian Union and the pastoralists. Dbuids Lodge. —ln our advertising columns it is announced that it is intended to open a lodge of the United Ancient Order of Druids in Temuka. Bro. Boulden, of the Timaru Lodge will be in attendance at the Temuka Hotel every Saturday evening until further notice for the purpose of giving full particulars and enrolling members. Persons desirous of joining are requested to give in their names as soon as possible.

Sealskin Laeceny Case. —At the Invercargill Supreme Court on Wednesday, Andrew Newton was found guilty of the larceny of a number of sealskins, the property of Joseph Hatch. Sentence will not be passed until law points are settled by the Court of Appeal. The sealskin cases were finished on Thursday, Mr Hatch being successful. The jury in his civil action against G. R. Waddell and James Roberts, of the Bluff, for wrongful conversion of the skins, for the larceny of which the sealers have been convicted, returned a verdict for £775 or £3 per skin, less 10 per cent.

Bicycle Sports. The annual sports meeting of the Timaru Tourists’ Bicycle Club were held on Thursday. The wet weather militated against the attendance, very few being present. R. H. Appleby (of Oamaru) carried off the first prizes in the Oae, Two, and Three Mile Roadster Handicaps J. Rawstron (of Timaru) the One-Mile Maiden Roadster, J. F. McCarthy (of Temuka) the Two-Mile Bicycle Handicap, A. Burford (of Timaru) the ThreeMile Handicap, J. Bates, the Five-Mile Roadster Handicap, and H. Denby the Ladies’ Bracelet, 14 miles. The Consolation was won by J. Whelan. F. W. Fish won two flat races, 220 yards and 410 yards. A Plucky Rescue.—Mr William Dyson, who served his apprenticeship at this office, has been distinguishing himself inNewcastle. The Newcastle Morning Herald of February sth has the following : About 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon three ladies who were bathing in the baths at the bottom of Shej)herd's Hill inadvertently got out of their depth, and were in. great danger of being drowned. They were observed by a number of persons on the hill, and for some time they managed to cling to a rock. Mr William Dyson, a member of the composing staff of this journal, witnessed the occurrence from Watt street, and he pluckily made his way down the steep cliff and rescued two of the ladies from their perilous position. A number of other men then arrived, and the third lady, who was very exhausted, was also rescued. A little girl who was at the baths showed great presence of mind by running for a lifebuoy as soon as the ladies were washed out, and endeavouring to take it to them. The Weather and Crops.—Although every effort was made upon the advent of fine weather to secure such crops as were in stock, much still remained untouched on Thursday when rain re-commenced. Some is still uncut and is now so ripe that it is certain to grow more or less. Farmers in the early past of the week were inclined to take a more favourable view of the case, and realised that although their losses were heavy still they were far from being ruined. When rain came on again (exactly as Mr Marmaduke Dixon prophesied) they became again despondent and not unreasonably so. It is to be hoped, however, that in many eases the damage has been over-estimated, and persons who have had an opportunity of going through the largest areas of crop in the district claim that only a compartively little is sprouted. However this may be, we can only hope for the best and trust that farmers will exercise the greatest c are in the stacking and drying of their wheat before threshing, and not be too eager to get it into bags before it has had time to properly recover from the effects of the season. Shortly before noon yesterday the weather again cleared up and the afternoon was very bright and sunny, and the cool wind which prevailed would also be very beneficial in drying the crops up. To the time of going to print tne weather remained fine.

A Deed ok Kindness.— Wc have always held a good opinion of Geraldine people, and always considered them unselfish and liberal, ready to join hands and help in any good cause where self-abnegation, energy, and even pecuniary help is required. On Thursday afternoon our opinion was confirmed. Our readers will remember the accident which happened to Mr W. Patrick of Gapes ’Valley, which so disabled him that it was impossible for him to attend to his crop, and which when rain came on Wednesday evening was cut and on the ground. On Thursday a number of young men at Geraldine determined to do Mr Patrick a good turn. Mr J. Mundell placed his large drag at their disposal and 15 of them, comprising in the main clerks and shopkeepers, set out at 1.50 p.m for Gapes’Valley, with a drizzling rain beating in their faces. On arrival at Mr Patrick’s farm they commenced stocking straight away iq the wet, and in, the course of two hours, although more or less drenched to the skin, stocked no less than 10 acres. They then made for Mr Patrick’s house, and in doing so had to cress n creek which took them up above their waists, but beiqg already wet,, the water had not much effect on them. At, the house they were received kindly, and, after changing their wet garments for dry ones, sat down to a hearty meal supplied by Mrs Patrick, and it goes without saying that after their manual labour they did full justice to it, and experienced for once in their lives what it is to earn a living “ by the sweat of the brow,” Mrs Patrick was bl}th surprised and delighted at the kind action of these young men, and Mr Patrick, (who we are glad to say is showing signs of recovery) on hearing the news had a load taken oft' his mind. It is not very often we hear of colonial young men giving up the pleasure of a half-holiday to extend a helping hand to a man in need, and it shows that the rising generation not only believe in a Liberal Government for their country but that they have in them, and carry out, the true spirit of Liberalism, All we can say to those young men is, ii they continue to act as they did on Thursday, they will not go down to “the vile dust from whence they sprung, unwept, unhonoured and unsung 1 ”

Arrest at the Railway Station.— The usually quiet little railway station at Temuka was the scene of some excitement on last Thursday evening. A gentleman who travels under the prosaic cognomen of Bill Smith arrived at the railway station to proceed by train, but the unsteadiness of his gait and the weakness of his understandings called the attention of the authorities to Mm, and he was nob allowed to go on board. He grumbled and growled a good deal, and then went to sleep on the seat, and when aroused some time afterwards ho behaved. indecently. When called to account for his actions he opened his mouth and belched forth the foulest language that could possibly have escaped from human lips. The police were sent for, and Constable Morton soon arrived, but the moment the constable made his appearance Mr Bill Smith assumed a fighting attitude. Mr Smith is apparently a why, able-bodied man, and Constable Morton, has not for several months been, in good health, but before Mr Smith was able to do any damage, he was brought from a perpendicular to a horizontal position. The constable had not his handcuffs with him, and as the man was most violent he decided on keeping him on the flat of his back on the ground while a messenger brought the “ darbies.” The stationmaster and railway porter came to the constable’s assistance, and, with one holding each hand and the constable sitting midway down the prisoner’s body, the group made up an interesting picture. There they sat, the monotony being broken only by the profane utterances of Mr Smith, which utterances the constable endeavoured to hush by a*, occasional squeeze of his (Smith’s) windpipe, till at last the handcuffs arrived and were fitted on. A new difficulty arose, Mr Bill Smith refused to move, and he was rather too heavy to carry, but eventually Mr Greelish passed by in a dray, anti into this he was lifted with a good deal of difficulty. The journey to the lock-up was uneventful, a,nd there he remained all night, and yesterday morning ho was sent to gaol for throe months. He is a stranger to Temuka.

Our Hire Purchase System offers Special Inducements to buy Cycles Payments from 5s per week. Adams Curties & Co., 70, Manchester Street, Christchurch. Bicycles from £3, —4

SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS. Primitive Methodist Church-Services to-morrow. E. Cordy—For sale by tender one acre section, etc., etc. J. Muudell & Co. Temuka live stock market, entries for sale. United Ancient Order of Druids—Notice re starting Lodge in Temuka. N.Z. Railways—Notice re arrangements for Dunedin races next week. Geraldine County Council—lmportant notice to owners of traction engines. Dr John Craig Has commenced the practice of his profession in Geraldine. D. Henry, Temuka Trial of Massey Harris Reaper and Binder at Seadown on Tuesday next. J. K. Warburton, Public Trustee—Notice re all accounts due to and owing by the late Anthony Johnstone, of Mount Peel Station, cook, deceased. E. Brown, Timber and Coal Merchant and General Ironmonger, Temuka Draws attention to his stock of timber, doors, sashes, oils, harvest requisites, etc.