LOCAL & GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2322, 23 February 1892, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL.

Temuka Sale. Our readers are reminded that the fortnightly Temuka stock sale, which is usually held on Tuesday, will not be held to-day, owing to the Timaru wool sale. It will be seen from advertisements in another column, that the sale will take place to-morrow.

Piscatorial —ln less than two hours one evening last week, Mr D. Taylor of Temuka, took 22 fish weighing over 21bs each, in the Opihi river. This is the largest take we have heard of in that time.

Accident. William Ballantyne, the guard of the Cape Foul wind train, had his head badly crushed bet veen a truck and some timber at Westport on Friday morning. He is expected to recover.

New Justice of the Peace.—Mr D. M. Rosa, the late major of Timaru, has been gazetted a Justice of the Peace for the colony.

Good News.— An Ashburton telegram says : —“ The bulk of the grain is now safely secured and the damage is found not to be nearly so great as was at first feared.”

Reassured.—The Premier has received a cable message from the Agent-General, stating that Lord Onslow’s speech in Christchurch, in which he testified to the prudent intentions of Ministerial finance, has had a reassuring effect in financial circles in London. ’Frisco Mails.—The R.M.S. Alameda, with the English mail of the 23rd ult., left San Francisco for Auckland on the 7th iust., three days late. The Mariposa with the colonial mails of the 30th ult., arrived at San Francisco from Auckland on the 18th inst., contract date. The Pahiatua Poisoning Case. —A free pardon and £SO reward is offered to any person, not being the principal offender, who shall first give information which will lead to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons implicated in the murder of Peter Dickson and Joseph Moore at Pahiatua, in December last.

Bad Weather.— A telegram from Gisborne dated February 20 says:—Heavy gales have been blowing for the last twenty hours, and rain is coming down in torrents. The rivers are in high flood and still rapidly rising. At Tologa Bay Mr Tritmer’s woolshed has been washed away. The yacht Arolf has been washed away from Gisborne river.

Pleasant Valley School Committee.— This committee met on Thursday evening, Mr K. Brophy being in the chair. After routine business it was decided to extend the harvest holidays one week; the school to re-open on Monday next. The committee resolved to vote for Messrs Goldsmith, Rhodes, and Ross as members of the Education Board.

The Weather.—Saturday and Sunday were sufficiently fine as to allow of harvest operations bein'' continued, although on both day there was a passing show or two. On Sunday most of the farmers thought it expedient to continue their work and a good deal of grain was got together. A cold night was followed by a bright day, and most of the threshing machines resumed work on Monday, although the grain could scarcely have been in good order, a very large area of crop still remaining in stock.

Legislative Council Appointments.— The Protection League at Dunedin has carried a resolution that in nominating members to the Upper House. The Government should be careful to select men who in the past have served the public in some capacity. If the Government intend to consult the labor party concerning the said appointments, then the Trades and Labor Council of Dunedin is the only body in the district which should be specially communicared with, as it alone represents the various organised unions in Dunedin. Influenza.—Dr Allison, editor of the health pages of the London Times, warns persons suffering from influenza to avoid all alcoholic drinks, as instead of giving strength they waste it. This is good, considering that whiskey was regarded as a great specific in such cases. He also warns people against drugs, and says half the deaths have- occurred through the use of medicine. His treatment is—go to bed, get as much fresh air by slightly opening the windows as possible, use milk diet, and take a warm sponge bath night and morning. If these directions were attended to none would die from influenza. The Golden Wedding.—Festivities in connection with the celebration of Mr and Mrs Chapman’s golden wedding were kept up very spiritedly until about 4 a.ra. on Saturday morning, there being fully 150 guests present at the dance. There was plenty of talent available, and capital music was provided for dancing, whilst a number of those present contributed songs etc. Mr Eadford had taken care that the floor was in good order, so that nothing was wanting to ensure a pleasant time. On Saturday evening a children’s party was held, when the young people enjoyed themselves heartily.

Alleged Arson at Ashburton. Andrew Black, watchmaker, appeared before two J.P.'s on Friday charged with habing fired his jeweller's shop on the previous Friday. The police called twentyfour witnesses, but there was no direct evidence incriminating the accused, most of the evidence dealing with his financial embarrassments. There was no evidence that the fire was wilfully caused by any person. The Bench, without retiring, dismissed the charge, saying that there was no case to send to a jury. Inspector Pender prosecuted, and Messrs J. Hay (Timaru) and Purnell defended the accused.

A Levanter. —Great surprise was caused in Wellington by the news that A. W. Brown had left the country suddenly. He had beep, mayor several times, and was generally supposed to be in a good financial position. He went to Auckland some weeks ago, ostensibly on business, and letters have been since received from him at Sydney stating that he did not intend to return and forwarding details of his property. Steps are being taken to make him bankrupt. In one letter Brown ascribes the smash to dabbling in politics, but this is not believed to be the real reason, At a meeting of creditors it was calculated that the estate would yield 15s in the pound; in fact, Brown is not insolvent at all unless undiscovered claims arise. His family is said to be left with very little.

I^ ; FCTiNG a Mayor. They have a funny way qf .ejecting a mayor in New South Wales, judging by g, Report of such an event published in the Newcastle If erald. From that it would appear that all tlie councillors are aldermen, and that the mayor is selected from amongst them. This js ijhe country style, but in the instance under revie\y the situation became so ridiculous that one of the aldermen suggested that they should “ Yankee-grab for the liMjppal chair, Six candidates were nominated and three of them got three votes each, two got two votes each, and the retiring mayor got only one. This did not satisfy the law, and the proceedings were gone through again. It was suggested that the mayor who got only one vote should retire from the contest, but he declined to do so, and the second ballot was similar to the first. A discussion arose as | ip the conduct of the mayor, and a rate- * uayer, taking' .advantage of the mayor ’ *•; .... <r up to speak, rushed into the i statkuw,. > an( j jjy-antea to conduct the mayoral cufct», -or. however, tjy very meeting. The tisy*. , .• uced i ’ Um that forcible arguments cony*-. • an( j such proceedings were inadniiSsu.. ’ the would-be chairman beat a hasty retreat). The council chamber was crowded with ratepayers, who seemed to enjoy the fun, and it took some time before order was restored. After this lots were drawn, and thus a mayor was selected by lottery, and be was installed with the customary ceremony, albeit that he was a good templar, and consequently declined to supply refreshments, as was the custom on such occasions. This appeared to have been disappointing to some of them, who then urged that he should invite them to a tea-party, but bo only replied “ Well, I y wont say I shan't do it."

Ministerial.—The Hon. W. P. Reeves, Mini ter for Justice and Education, left Wellington for Christchurch on Friday evening. He intends visiting the Milford Sound prisons before returning to Wellington. A Pick Pocket. A young fellow named William Scott was caught at Christchurch on Saturday while picking the pocket of a Mrs Patterson, a farmer’s wife, and was handed over to the police. He was extracting Mrs Patterson’s purse, which contained 16s, when caught. Presentation.—Miss Mcßeth, late mistress of the Pleasant Valley School, was, on Friday afternoon, presented with a very handsome album as a slight token of the respect and esteem in which she was held by the parents of the children attending the school.

Lord Onslow.—A complimentary race meeting in honor of Lord and Lady Onslow, took place at Auckland, but showery weather somewhat marred its success. The toast of “ His Excellency the Governor and Lady Onslow ” was drunk with great enthusiasm. The Victorian Handicap and Onslow Cup were won by Morion, the Hurdle Race and Steeplechase by Fishmonger, Huia Handicap by Lottie, Selling Race by Romeo, and Farewell Handicap by Quadrant. Altogether the sum of £4057 was passed through the totalisator. N.Z. Rifle Association.—Major Somerville went out to the range at Trentham, Wellington, on Saturday morning, to get everything in readiness for the opening of the, meeting on the Bth prox. The canip will be in command of Major Sir Arthur Douglas, of Canterbury, not Lieutenant Colonel Newall as previously telegraphed. Major Somerville is experiencing considerable difficulty in regard to catering, being unable to secure anyone to undertake the contract. He anticipates that the meeting will be a large one, and not less than 250 competitors are looked for. Primitive Methodist Church.—Large congregations assembled in the Primitive Methodist Church, Temuka, on Sunday, when the Rev. W. C. Wood preached two farewell sermons, taking for his text in the afternoon Hebrews iv., 9, and in the evening Collossians i., 21, On Thursday the rev. gentleman will be met for the last time at a farewell tea, which will be on the tables at 6.30, and a public farewell meeting will be held commencing at 8 o’clock. It is hoped that his many friends and admirers will take advantage of this opportunity of bidding him good-bye.

A Parsimonious Government.—A distressed woman walked from Launceston to Hobart recently with a two-year-old child to see her husband, who had been sent to gaol. She was nine days doing the journey of 120 miles. The Benevolent Society applied for a free pass for her for the return journey, but received the callous reply from the Government that she only wanted rest, when she could go back the way she came. The Government thus condemned her and her child to walk 120 miles, although at the time they were carrying passengers to Launceston Exhibition for 4s ;>d ! The Benevolent Society, with more charity, paid her fare. Threshing from the Stock.—Judging by several samples of wheat which were exhibited in in town on Saturday, the farmers who are adopting the hazardous practice of threshing from the stook are likely to be greater sufferers than usual this season. Owing to the recent moist weather, the corn neither threshes freely nor does it make a sufficiently good sample to tempt buyers, as it has a greasy and cold feeling when rubbed, which makes millers fight shy of it. The same corn, if stacked for six weeks or two months, would, in experts’ opinion, be as prime wheat as could be' seen, as it would have an opportunity to “ sweat.” In its present condition, however, it is comparatively useless for the manufacture of flour.—Lyttelton Times. Millionaires’ Dinner.— 11 Broadbrim,” the New Zealand correspondent of the Waimate Witness, says that 220 millionaires dined together in New York recently at a cost of 25 dollars a piece. Mr Chauncy Depew, in the course of his speech, speaking of Socialism, asked what it meant ? Why, away down at the roots of society were festering wrongs which needed righting,—wrongs that were crying out to high heaven for redress? The rich man who simply strove to crush these out by brute force was the worst of Socialists. The man who simply piled up dollars for his own gratification and his own aggrandisement, was a greater enemy of his kind than all the Anarchists that ever lived or died. That is true: the heartless has always been the greatest friend of progress.

Mashonaland. The Rev. Owen Watkins has been prospecting in Mashonaland, in the interests of the Wesleyan Missionary Society. In a recent letter he says he is presumably the first white man to see the Mount of Footprints, which he thus describes: —“ At last we came to one large mount of rocks on the top of the hills. Here are thousands of impressions on the granite rock. Hundreds of human footsteps, thousands of footprints of animals — lions, jackals, wolves and antelopes. On the top of the mount the appearance is as if a crowd of animals and men had rushed together in fright. At whatever period these footprints were made, it must have been before the outer surface of the rock had hardened. The distance from were the footprints began to where they culminate on the mount is 200 yards.

Shearers’ and Laborers' Union.—Mr J. R. MacDonald was present at an ordinary meeting of the Geraldine branch of the Amalgamated Shearers’ and Labourers' Uuion, held bn Saturday evening at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Geraldine. Mr MacDonald placed before the union a circular from the Australian Union,and it was agreed that a meeting be called before the Waimate Union meet in March for the purpose of discussing the circular. Owing to harvesting operations the attendance at the public meeting which was advertised to be held after the ordinary one was so small that Mr MacDonald decided not to hold it. Mr UfacDopald spoke last evening to the shearers at Mr Tripp’s Station, Orari, a report of which will appear in our next issue.

Damage isv Floods.— The Clutha Leader estimates that in the Henley district alone the damage to crops and grass will amount to £11,600. It will take considerably more than that to place the settlers in the same position as they were before the flood. The chief sufferers estimate their losses as follow;—William Thomson, £250; Wilson and Scott, £350, A. and A. Souness. £550 ; D. T. Shand, £600; A. and J. Thomson, £BOO.- M, W. Fleming, (including 700 or BQO sheep), £180Q'; Anderson, £SOO ; Messrs Welsh, 4‘iOO; Alexander Fleming, £100; A Thomson, Gordon, Cafruthep, Ndmpnd, 'Robertson, Bruce, Jennings and Ashley, Shennah,

r , . and Reid, about £350 each; jfeie, BlairHorn Sharp, Mayers, and Jam?? ( ,j£- each, Lawrence, Cook. Smith, Pauuj.; §5 Lauder, and .Kenny, £l5O each. ihe Henley Dairy Factory Company had some 1000 cows in full milk before the flopd, which are now running qn the hill. All the winter feed is ruined, and when it is considered that the district keeps two dairy factories going, the value of the feed may be better imagined than estimated. The district is ruined for the year, and nothing is left but the mortgages.

Sudden Death. —Mr John Marsh, proprietor of the Bridge Hotel, Cromwell, died suddenly of apoplexy last Friday night. The deceased was the father of Mr W. J. Marsh, proprietor of the Arrow Observer, and was for some time Mayor of Cromwell. A Lost Torpedo. —Whilst engaged in torpedo practice in Lawry Bay, Wellington, on Saturday afternoon, the Ringarooma lost one of her torpedoes, and although every search was made it could not be found. The Ringarooma will return and make another systematic search. Coercion. —The Middle Island Dairy Association have resolved that the Governraent, the Railway Commissionerrs, and the Dunedin Harbour Board be requested to make no special concessions and grant no subsidies to London shipping companies till they reduce the freights on dairy produce, these rates at present being excessive. Cruelty to a Horse. —At the R.M. Court at Hamilton on Friday the telegraph lineman Cross, charged with cruelty to animals by wounding the horse, was fined £ls and costs. The magistrate said the cruelty was terrible, and had it not been for the good character of Cross he would have sent him to prison.

Standard Insurance Company. The income of the Standard Insurance Company for the year was £90,461 and the expenditure £75,027. With the half-yearly dividend already declared, the dividend for the year is 7J por cent., absorbing £2812 ; carried to reserve, £2000; re-insurance, £3000; balance carried forward, £4809.

Native Representative. —Mr J. Carroll, M.H.R., who has accepted the position of Native representative in the Cabinet will get a salary of £3OO a year, not £4OO as reported, and he will not get the £l5O honorarium. The extra expense to the country is therefore not great, whilst his appointment is bound to give satisfaction to the Natives. No man in New Zealand knows more about Native affairs.

Perpetual Motion. —It is not generally known that a novel motor, which appears to fulfil the conditions of perpetual motion, has been running at the United States Patent Office in Washington for many years. The inventor made the claim of perpetual motion, but it is hardly correct, says Industries. Perpetual motion is said to exist in a machine that, “when once started, will continue to run until worn out.” This machine operates by the power given out by the different expansion of metals under varying conditions, and is s 6 small and carefully constructed that if there was absolutely no chang* in the temperature of the room it would run started thirty eight days before stopping. It it were possible to put it in some place for this length of time, as the centre of the earth, where the temperature would be constant, it would stop, so that it does not fulfil the conditions of perpetual motion; but that cannot be done where the machine now is, so it has run for many years without stopping, and probably will continue to run until it wears out. The Tengawai River. — The Rev. T. Jasper Smyth writes to the Timaru Herald drawing the attention of the residents of Pleasant Point to the present state of the Tengawai river, and the danger with which it threatens the township. After the recent heavy flood its course has been completely altered, and the main stream is now coming down on the Point side and not under the old bridge. A few miles above the township, close to Mr F. Fielding’s, it broke into a natural creek, and the main stream is at present within a few feet of it, and if another heavy flood were to come there is nothing to prevent the whole body of water coming down this creek, in which case it will do an immense amount of damage. He urges that' the Levels Road Board or Geraldine County Council should take steps to divert the stream at once if they have the power; it they have not, he suggests that the residents should get up a “ working bee ” and do it themselves. He thinks the temporary diversion of the stream would not cost more than £lO. The danger he points out is a real one and settlers should certainly take his advice and do their to avert it.

The Devonshire Prunbr. Ver meagre indeed is the information obtain able concerning the life of the person, bes known by the name which heads thi paragraph. He was a man of some education and culture ; he has read a gooc deal, and could converse well on mos subjects, but was not very communicative as regards his own past history. He wai cleanly in his habits and well-bred in bii manners and speech. He told an ac quaintance of his not long ago, that hi served his time as a gardener in Yeitche’i great nursery in England; that he wai through the Crimean war in the capacity o; a servant io Lord Cardigan, and alse through the American Civil War in £ similar capacity to an English gentleman who was present as a spectator of the internecine struggle of the United States Nothing further is known of him only that he has been for many years in New Zealand, and has worked in the principal gardens of the colony. It is not known whether he was or was not married, but a word or two which he let drop once would lead to the conclusion that he had been. He appeared like a man who had suffered some serious disappointment; and would often stop up in the middle of a conversation, seemingly oblivious of his surroundings. His end was a sad one, but persons who allow themselves to fall a victim to the evil of intemprance cannot expect much better. Census Returns. The following return shows the number of persons (exclusive of Maoris) belonging to the different religious denominations in New Zealand, according to the census of 1891: Episcopalians, Church of England and Episcopalians not otherwise defined, 230,945,; Protestants (undescribed), 2,380; Presbyterians, Church of Scotland, Free Church of Scotland, Free Presbyterians, Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland, and Presbyterians not otherwise defined, 141,477; Methodists, Wesleyan Methodists, 53,061; Methodists, undefined, 2071; Primitive Methodists, 5220; United Methodist Free Churches, Free Methodists, United Methodists, 1905; Bible Christians, 1009 ; Others, 09 ; Baptists, 14,825 ; Congregational Independents, 0085 ,- Lutheran and German Protestants, 5610; Unitarians, 3008 ; Society of Friends, 315 ; Other Protestants, Church of Christ (including the Christian Church of England, Christian Disciples, Disciples, of Christ, Disciples) 5241 ; Brethren (including Christian Brethren, and Plymouth Brethren), 3537; Evangelists (including Hie Evangelical Up ion, Evangelical Chqrch, Evangelical Christians, Evangelical Brethren), 03 Non-conformists. 77 ; Dissenters, 42 ; Salvation Army, 9383 ; Christadelphians, 700 ; Sweden borgians (including New Church and New Jerusalem Church), 178; Agnostics, 322; Deists and Theists, 31; Doubtful, 405 ; no denomination (variously returned), | no religion ; 1558 ; unspecified, 1288 ; object fq State, 15,342 : total," 020,058—the number of the population exclusive of Maoris. The number of children attending Government primary schools was 124,003 ; colleges and private schools, 17,047 ; Spu-, day schools, 101,970 ; receiving tuition qt home, SijSl

Tb Kooti. —Te Kooti was in Auckland on Saturday, and attracted some attention. The sole object of his visit wo s to see Wi Pere who is laid up with rheumatism, and who is at present under the necessity of resorting to crutches. Reaper and Binder Trial.— Farmers and others interested are reminded that a field trial of the “ Massey-Harris Wide Open Back Reaper and Burner ” takes place on Mr F. R. Oldfield’s farm, Sea lo vn, this afternoon. An expert will he pr. .-out to give information. The Earl of Glasgow.— The Earl of Glasgow, the Governor-elect of Sew Zealand, is a first cousin to Mr Boyle (a partner in the firm of Messrs Pyne and Co., Christchurch, stock and station agents), who is married to a daughter of the late Mr Michael Studholme, and who resided for some time in South Canterbury. Dummyism.— The action J. R. Scott v. J. M. Ritchie and others in occupying the Supreme Court at Dunedin. Plaintiff claims to recover expenses and costs in connection with his leasing of a run on behalf of defendants, and for an indemnity against further proceedings. Sir R. Stout and Mr Chapman for plaintiff, Mr Haggit and Mr Solomon for defendants. Ministerial Visit. —We learn from a reliable source that the Premier will shortly visit the South Island again, and deliver addresses at Ashburton and Waimate. He may also speak at Timaru, and very probably Invercargill. It wiR be remembered that he (was invited to speak at Invercargill when he visited Dunedin last year, but was unable to comply with the request. Ho doubt he will do so now.

Our Defences. —Captain Bourke, of H.M.S. Ringarooma, expressed great saisfaction with his inspection of the ports. They are now all but completed, and permanent ground mines are being laid. Excellent gun practice was made, and Captain Bourke considered, it would be almost impossible for a ship to lodge a shot in the ports. The latter are being furnished with an electric search light, and their equipment will then be complete. *

Lavish and Disinterested Praise.— Yesterday morning the representatives of the local Orange institution in Auckland, waiting on Lord Onslow,presented him with a farewell address on the occasion of Mb leaving the colony for England. The Governor, in thanking the Orangemen for their address, disclaimed any of the credit which they had attributed to him for the present improved state of affairs in the colony, but said that it was all due to the present Government, which the Orangemen had described as benign.

Telegraph Charges.— The Hon. J. G. Ward, in reply to an Auckland merchant who wired to him regretting that he had seen fit to change the recent regulations in charging for telegaphic messages,telegraphs that the published account of his interview with the Hon. W. Reynolds was incorrect. What he said was that he would favourably consider the question of allowing the present number of words in the body of the message, the address and signature to be counted together. Eighteen words would then cost one shilling, and the same number of words in a delayed message would cost sixpence. Mountain Climbing.— Malcolm Ross, accompanied by his brother Kenneth, and Harry Birrell as guide, completed a successful ascent to the summit of Mount Emslaw. At 9,000 feet his wife’ who was accompanying the party, had to desist. Splendid photographs were obtained from the summit, the sea being visible as far as Martin’s Bay. The party discovered at the summit the cairn made by Birrell in 1889 establishing the latter’s claim to be the first to scale the mountain top.

Tbmuka at the Dunedin Cycling Sports. —We are glad to notice that some of the events at the annual sports meeting of cyclists at Dunedin on Friday last were won by South Canterbury. The One Mile Open Bicycle Handicap was won by P. J, McCarthy, of Temuka, in 2min. 49sec. F. Truman (Pleasant Point) was the Ladies’ Bracelet, one and a-half miles, in 4min. and came second in the One-Mile Open Handicap, and second in the Two-Mile and Three-Mile Open Handicaps. J. Brassell (of Timaru) was second in the Five-Mile and third in the Three-Mile Roadster Handicaps. Alleged Murder. The inquest at Masterton on the body of John Dalton, who was found stabbed to death at Eketahuna resulted in a verdict “ That deceased was wilfully murdered by some persons unknown.” The utmost interest was evinced in the proceedings, and when the verdict was announced a slight murmur of applause went through the court. At Eketahuna on Friday Smith and Harrison were formally charged with the wilful murder of John Dalton. Both prisoners appeared anxious and agitated, the younger man, Smith, especially. Inspector Thomson said that after the result of the inquest he did not feel justified in going on with the case at present, and would therefore ask for a remand till Friday, the 20 th. Prisoners’ counsel offered no objection, an! a remand was granted. Political Scheming.— Says the Auckland correspondent of ■the Otago Daily Times : —“ It has been asserted positively that Sir George Grey is going to England almost immediately with Mr H. M. Stanley. I have just heard, however, from a very high Auckland authority that nothing at all is settled yet about Sir George going to England, and that he is very likely not to go until after next session. I hear from another quarter that Sir G. Grey is in close communication with certain well-known members of the disaffected section of the House with a view' to the formation of a middle party sufficiently strong to hold the balance of power and to oust the presort Government, or to compel its re-con-struction, if this course should commend itself to their approval. Several Auckland members, together with t,vo of the Wellington province and ouo of Otago, are mentioned freely as prepared to join Sir G. Grey immediately in such an enterprise : but all is at present in an early stage and is supposed to be strictly secret ” >

CongreCtAtxokaii Union-. —At a meeting of the Congregational Union at Wellington on Saturday, it was resolved“ That the members of the Council of the New Zealand Congregational Union enter their emphatic protest against any attempt to interfere with the present State education I by the introduction of denominational teaching into State schools.” “That this Council expresses cordial sympathy with the admission of women to the Parliamentary franchise, and appeals to the members of our church for their hearty support of this beneficial and just reform.” “That this Council is much gratified to observe the growing' public sympathy with the movement to secure for every locality a popular power of veto on the liquor traffic by direct vote at the ballot box, and cordially commend to the churches of the Union active participation in the effort to" obtain this legislative reform.” “That this Union strongly condemns the raising of colonial revenue by any means which seem to countenance the great evil of gambling, ns in taxing the receipts of the totalisator’ and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Premier.” The Rev. W, H, Millar was elected President for the ensuing year.

Supreme CoirKT, —The criminal session at Christchurch opened yesterday. There were 14 cases for trial, none of any particular importance, except the charge against the cook of the ship Everest of setting fire to her. The Judge in his charge referred to the absence of the crimes of violence from the calendar. Robert Dixon Pergan, indicted on two charges of embezzling money, the property of the Railway Commissioners, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 months. Prisoner was a stationmaster. William Mardon pleaded guilty to embezzling sums amounting to £9, the property of his employer. Sentence was deferred. John Lindsay pleaded guilty to forging a cheque for £9 on the Bank of Australasia, and in extenuation said his action was the result of a drunken freak and he would repay the money. The case was adjourned till the following day for the repoi-u oi the Probation Officer. Nora Kyle pleaded guilty to unlawfully assaulting and wounding Alexander Craighead. Sentence was deferred. The Champion Cyclists of New Zealand will this season ride a “ Star ” Safety fitted with Pneumatic Tyres. Adams, Curties & Co., 70, Manchester Street, Christchurch. Cycles from £5. —5 SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS.

0. G. Bradley —Notice re slaughtering license. J. Loach, Orari—Will sue for all accoimts not paid at once. Guinness & LeCren—Entries for Temuka Stock Sale to-morrow. j. Mundell & Co.—R.S. 31382 at Rangx- . tala for sale or to let. ' ■ E. Gibbard, “ Tiie Comer,” Geraldine— Advertises special value for coming season and new goods. Primitive Methodist Church, Temuka— Farewell tea and public meeting on Thursday evening. W. S. Maalin—Holds clearing sale of stock-in-trade of general dealer at Temuka on Thursday next, on account of Mr Moran,