LOCAL & GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2334, 24 March 1892, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL.

Dance. —A dance will be held in the Lower Waitohi Schoolroom on the night of the Ist April. The Railway Commissioners. The Wellington Press says : —We understand, on the very best authority, that the Government intend to bring in a bill next session to do away with the Hallway Commissioners. It.M. Court, Temuka.—At the above Court yesterday, before Mr J. M. Twomey, J.P., a first offender was charged with having been drunk on a public street in Temuka on the previous evening, and was dismissed with a caution. British and Foreign Bible Society. —Mr Robjohns will deliver a lecture on this society in the New Schoolroom, Temuka, to-morow evening. No charge will be made, but a collection will be taken up to defray axpenses. Strike ou Choir Boys.—The choir boys at St. Mark's Church, Wellington, struck on Sunday owing to the expulsion of one of their mates. Many of the boys, however, returned to their place at the evening service. Rifle Match. — This afternoon there will be a rifle match between members of the Temuka Volunteers. The entries are numerous, and the handicaps carefully compiled, so that granted a favourable day, some littie interest should be taken in the event. Sale at Waihi Bush. Attention is directed to the clearing sale of live and dead farming stock advertised by Messrs Mundell & Co., on account of Mr Thos. Sommerville, at Waihi Bush to-day. As Mr Sommerville is leaving the district the sale will be an unreserved one. A Good Cow.—The Pahiatua Star says: There are cows and cows, but the cow we heard of in the Tenui district wants beating as a milk producing machine. Her yield for several weeks after calving' was eleven gallons a day—six in the morning and five at night. We can produce witnesses to prove this statement. Sad Accident.—Mary Stock, aged 28 years, wife of Cecil Stock, a settler near Waiuku, Auckland, was killed at Waiuku on Tuesday night by the upsetting of a trap. Stock was married on Tuesday at Auckland, and was taking his wife home when the accident occurred. Deceased's parents, named Gerrard, live at Devonport. The Windsor and Rainhill Murders. —After exhaustive inquiries the Dunedin police have concluded that Wiliiams, the cloth hawker, who lived in Dunedin a year or two ago, is not the Windsor murderer. The Christchurch police, after searching a house at Opawa at one time occupied by a cloth hawker named Williams, came to the same conclusion. 1.0.G.T. —The usual weekly meeting of the Good Hope Lodge, Temuka, was held on Monday, Bro. Beaumont, C.T., presiding. Owing to the wet weather there was not a large muster of members. It was agreed to have a social in the beginning of April, when Mr Glover will give a lecture. It will be discussed at next meeting at what hall the meeting shall be held in. Particulars will be advertised. Larceny.—The police of Temuka about 11 o'clock yesterday arrested James Tucker, Arowhenua, on a warrant, charging him with having stolen three bags of oats from Mr Simpson, farmer, Waitohi. On the information being laid by Mr Simpson, a search warrant was taken out, and the oats were found on William Eagleston's property hidden amidst chaff and straw. Eagleston was also arrested on the charge of being the receiver of stolen goods. Both will be brought before the It.M. Court this morn, ing. Dunedin Races.—The Autumn Meeting of the Dunedin Racing Club commenced yesterday. The weather was bitterly cold and showery, and the attendance at Forbury was consequently poor. Results: — Hurdles : - Inchkeith, 1 ; Waitangi, 2 ; Satyr, 3. Rebel and Le Roi 11. also ran. Time, Brain 13sec. Dividends, £3 6s and £3 3s. Anniversary Handicap .- Galtee, 1; Miss Mack, 2 ; Tempest, 3. Time, 2min 12sec. Dividends, £2 15s. Selling Race : Milord, I.' Dividends, £7 Ss and £7 12s. Three Mile Trot: Young Penple, 1; Present Time 3,2; Contractor, 3. Time, 9min 23sec. Dividends, £2 lite and £2 Us. Fairlie Creek Hotel.—At the adjourned meeting of the Mackenzie Licensing Committee the transfer of the license of the Fairlie Creek Hotel was granted from D. McLeod to D. O'Donohue, after evidence in support of the inspector's report and on behalf of the transferee had been given. i The committee cautioned Mr O'Donohue ' to conduct the hotel in a manner strictly '■. in accordance with the Licensing Act, and concluded: —"We strongly object to the number of idlers congregating in the verandah and blocking up the footpath in front of the house on Sundays—a source of (much unpleasantness to ladies on their way to church. We trust the licensee or tho inspector or both, will see. that this is ' attended to, The c62t* of the ajoumment to be paid ky the applicant.'' Sale of RUNS.—The Commissioner of Crown Lands conducted a sale of grazing runs at the Land Office, Timaxu, .ou. Tuesday. Tbe runs are situated on the dividing range between the Jlakateramea and Wafhao rivers, Waimate G'oimty, on open hills from J 500 ft. to 3500 ft., and comprise an area of 32,320 acres. The first run wan one of 4100 acres, and fell to Mr R. Cameron at £246 per annum, or £45 more than the upset annual rental. Other runs were Bold as follow : £243, W. W. Mitchell; 4410 acres, at upset, £1 Go 7s 6d, Florence Mitchell; 3870 acres at upset, £145 2s Gd. W. W. Lane; 4730 acres at upset, £177 7s (id, James Meek; 4570 acres, £IX7 (£7 7s (id above ij.pset), P. Jackson ; '2'SM acres J:.')3 (£7 lO.s sibovo upset), A. Carrie ; 3500 acres at upset, £l3l ss, E. S. W. Butler. The upset rental per acre of tho lirsfc two blocks was Is, and the rest i)d. i

Football.—Mr A. E. G. Rhodes has been re-elected president of the Canterbury Rugby Union. An old Fi human. —Superintendent Robertson, who has just been dismissed from the Dunedin Fire Brigade after 25 years' service, was on Thursday presented with a gold " star " by the Mayor. Paying. The annual report of the Wellington-Manawatu Railway Company recommends the payment of a dividend of 5 per cent., and the carrying of £3OOO to the reserve fund. The company held a large land sale on Tuesday. 8232 acres were sold for £11,646 1 (is, all pastoral land. One block brought 47s per acre, and the rest from 21s to 30s. Shearers Union. — The circular discussed at the Geraldine Shearers Union was received from the Waimate Union, and not directly from the A.S.U. It is the intention of shearers to amalgamate in New Zealand, and then at a conference to consider whether they will remain a distinct body or become affiliated with the A.S.U. A Relic.—A boatman has just found in the bed of the Thames at Hampton Court what appears to be a relic of early British times—an ancient British canoe, made of the trunk of a tree, the interior having been burned or scooped out. It is about 30ft long and 3ft in width, and is quite black. Otherwise it is in good preservation. Ic has probably lain in the river bed for centuries, and might have remained there but for the present dredging operations. of a Thief.—The dead body of a negro named Thomas Johns, a seaman, a native of St. Helen's, was found in the Auckland Harbour on Monday last. The deceased stole a watch and some money from two men who were lying asleep near the Sailors' Home on the previous Wednesday, running away with his booty, and the watch was found on the body when it was taken out of the harbour. Political.—The Electoral Bill drafted by the Government contains similar provisions to last year's Bill as it stood wnen introduced in the Legislative Council, plus a proposed clause placing commercial travellers and shearers on the same footing respecting the franchise. One-man-one-vote will be rigidly adhered to, and no person will be allowed to be on more than one electoral roll.—June 11th is mentioned as the probable date of the meeting of Parliament. The Geraldine Burglary. —As some of Coombs' relations fear that our simple statement that " Coombs distributed some of the stolen articles amongst his friends " would lead people to believe, that they had connived at his offence, we wish to explain that they in no way attempted to shield him, but gave him up to justice the moment they made the discovery, anr 1 also handed in the articles he had given them. "We think their action in the matter is commendable.

An Old Charge.—At Wellington, on Tuesday. Walter Morris alias Philips, charged with criminal assault on a girl in Tasmania in ISBG. was again remanded. 1 Counsel for prisoner said it was very 'peculiar that Morris had lived in the village where the offence was said to have been committed for four years after the supposed date, and had visited it twice since, and nothing had ever been said of the matter. Inspector Thomson said it was understood that the commission of the offence had only lately been discovered. Morris was married while in Wellington. The Evening Press says it is rumoured that a jealous woman is at the bottom of the affair. An Unplesant Predicament. Mr C. H. Verity, of Hilton, had a rather unpleasant adventure on Tuesday last. On his way to the Temuka sale he ventured to cross the river at the Manse ford. The river was just high enough to force his horse to swim. Horse and rider were progressing satisfactorily, when the former struck a stake or snag and rolled over. Mr Verity disengaged himself promptly, but, the horse breaking away, he was left standing in mid stream in a comparatively shallow place. Mr John Quinn fortunately came to the river, and his horse being a powerful one, and well used to water, comparatively little difficulty was experienced in releasing Mr Verity from his unpleasant position. The Weather.—We are certainly experiencing some particularly unpleasant weather, inasmuch as there seems no prospect of its becomiug settled. For the last fortnight there have only been one or two decently tine days, and the few glimpses we have had of the sun have not had the usual cheering effect, for there has always been the uneasy feeling that they are to be followed by a heavier shower than usual. This was the case on Tuesday. The day was fairly line, but the clouds were lowering all day, and at night the rain simply poured down. The hills have received their first coating of snow, and it seems as if winter is likely to set in early. The sodden condition of the ground precludes anything like progress being made with farm work. The plough is idle, and the traction engine is " stuck up." Feed, both on grass lands and stubble, is abundant, and Btock look well. This is one source of congratulation. The townships are, of course, quiet. Farmers are unable tr> thrash, and there is no money about. Taking it all together, the cockatoo is not having a very happy time just now.

Entertainment— Considering the inclemency of the weather the entertainment given by Professor Bousmard, the illusionist, in the Volunteer Hall Temuka was fairly attended. The entertainment for its kind was excellent, and every item was rapturously applauded. , The performance consisted of conjuring tricks, piano-playing, and the great ghost illusion. A large number of very good tricks were neatly and cleanly executed. The ring trick was really wonderful, the performer putting about a dozen apparently steel rings together, and taking them asunder in the twinkling of an eye. A large number of other tricks were done with equal cleverness, and the audience manifested their appreciation at the close of each event. Professor Bousmard also played on the piano several musical selections very cleverly. He is undoubtedly a musician of g - reafc ability. The ghost illusion of course was the -piece do wmstanco. For the purposes of this the room was darkened, all the lights having to be put out. When this was done, the profesor began to play the piano, to " call up spirits from the vasty deep " as sonie one . remarked, and immediately there entered a skeleton, which i commenced £o dance a highland reel: Then the skeleton went to pieces the feet going one way the body another, and the head jumped off and commenced to gnash its teeth, almost in the very faces of those sitting in the front seats. The scene was certainly weird and amusing, and kept the audience in roars of laughter for some minutes, when it vanished as mysteriously as ifc appeared. Professor Bousmard is a clever conjuror but has not a great deal to say on the" stage. Ho is very quiet and gentlemanly, and does nothing to which the most fastidious could object. Ho will appear on Monday evening in Gcraldine, and we strongly recommend those who like such an entertainment to pay him » visit,

Fatal Fall—A little girl named Matilda Oslen died at Port Chalmers from injuries received by falling on the asphalt pavement from a distance of fourteeen fe6t. The Reduction in Postage.—The date of the introduction of Id inland postage and altering newspaper rates to ! Australia will shortly be decided by the Cabinet. ( Found Drowned.—A telegram from Mossburn, Otago, says that the body of a swagger, name unknown, was found on the banks of the Oreti on Sunday. It is supposed that the corpse is that of a man who was drowned six weeks ago when' attempting to cross the river. Personal.—Mr Henry Anthony Inglis succumbed under a fit of apoplexy, at Kaikoura on Monday. Deceased was an old resident of New Zealand. He was an ex-M.H.R., amember of the Provincial Council, and held the position of whip to the Stafford ministry. He was late W.M. of Lodge Kaikoura, E.G. A Forgiving Wife.—At Wellington James O'Flaherty, charged with attempting to murder his wife by shooting at her with a ball cartridge at an early hour on the morning of the 16th inst., was discharged. His wife, who was the principal witness, swore that accused was under the influence of drink and fired the shot at a cat. The Argentine v. New Zealand.— The Wellington Times states that a large Loan Company connected with the Argentine Republic, as well as with this colony, have given instructions to their agents here to call in their mortgages upon the expiry of the terms, with the intention of retiring from the colony and throwing their lot in with the Argentine. Temuica Stock Sale.—There was again a large entry of all classes of stock at Temuka yards on Tuesday, but bidding was not so spirited as at the previous sale. The bulk of the stock, however, changed hands at a satisfactory figure. The large attendance of buyers from all parts is evidence of the increasing popularity of this sale, which bids fair to become the premier one of South Canterbury. N.Z. W.C.T.U.—The annual convention of the New Zealand Women's Christian Temperance Union was opened at Auckland on Tuesday, delegates from various parts of the colony being present. The convention will sit all the week. It was decided to petition the management of the World's Fair at Chicago to prohibit the sale of liquor on the show grounds, and to close the exhibition on Sundays.

Wellington Hospital.—The Wellington Hospital trustees want £6OOO for making- additions to the hospital. At their last meeting the chairman stated that the present accommodation is quite insufficient; there are 55 typhoid patients now in the hospital. All the wards were full, and even the out-patients' room was used for extra beds. In one instance two patients were in one bed, and even the corridors of the institution were called into requisition for beds. He, for one, considered that unless the hospital were enlarged, the trustees would be guilty of nothing less than murder. Petty Action.—The annual meeting of the Canterbury Pastoral Association was held on Friday night, when the report showed it to be in a good position. Mr Henry Overton was elected president; Mr John G-rigg, vice-president; and Mr David Craig, treasurer for the ensuing year. The motion to name the new show grounds " Onslow Park," was rejected, Mr John Grij-g strongly resenting the proposal 01 the ground that His Excellency had displayed political leaning towards the present Government's taxation measures when being entertained by the citizens of Christchurch before leaving. Therefore the association should not pay him such a compliment. Sir John Hall regretted Lord Onslow's remarks, but wished it noted that during his term of office he had been scrupulously attentive to the farming interests, and had kept aloof from politics, pointing out that his last act with respect to the nominations for the Upper House counterbalanced this. Position of Buenos Aykes. The Buenos Ayres Standard of December 22nd last has the following significant statement with respect to the financial position of the country :—" The financial

condition of the Republic is deplorable, and in our opinion offers much greater motive for anxiety than the political situation. It is the more alarming because nobody seems to have a correct idea on the matter. But the finances of the province of Buenos Ayres are still worse, as will be seen by the Budget of the new Finance Minister of La Plata. During the last three years the revenue of the province has averaged 6,000,000 dollars currency, while the interest on the public debt alone demands 15,000,000 dollars per annum. Even if the total service of the debt be suspended, say for twenty or thirty years, the ordinary expenditure is estimated at 12,000,000 dollars, or double the revenue. The accumulated deficits since 1880 reach 152 millions (exclusive of the cost of the La Plata port), the debt of the province now reaching 192 millions. A Pithy _ Letter.—Dr Bakewell, a leading medical man in Auckland, has written a very pithy letter to one of the papers there, in which he says: "Itis I because I recognise in the Ballance j Ministry, an honest, hearty, and earnest effort to go to the root of the matter, and to endeavour to amend our laws in favour of the bulk of the population, instead of in the interests of a small plutocracy; that, putting aside all minor differences of opinion, lam prepared to give the present Ministers what small modicum of support it lies in my power to give. For the first time in the history of the colony, the Democracy has begun to assert itself ; for the first time Parliament has begun to legislate in the interests of the masses, instead of in the interests of of one class, and

we now see a prospect of the despotism of the plutocracy being overturned. No doubt it will fight well, and die hard, but I sincerely hope that it will be defeated. Hitherto we have had a plutocracy. Our legislation has all been in favour of the rich capitalist. Now, of all forms of Government a plutocracy is the meanest, the most stupid, the most selfish, and the most cruel. It knows nothing of either patriotism, or honor, or morality. It cares only for money. Gold is the only god it worships, and its own interests is the only code of ethics. A democracy may have its faults, and it, too, may be cruel, but it can never work the misery than plutocracy effects. Even its least wise legislation must be, at least in appearance, for the benefit of the greatest number, and its very selfishness is respectable sentiment compared with that of plutocracy. The people are determined that they will not have a landed plutocracy, lords over the soil of this new country, and treating the bulk of the inhabitants as if they were the peasntry of a conquered territory." Cyclists ! —Avoid Collisions, and use TjAmps itv NuiHT and Bells by Day. Accessories of all kinds at the New Zealand Cycle Works, Adams, dirties & Co., 70 Manchester Street, Christchurch. Catalogues free. Cycles from £5, —0