LOCAL & GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2364, 2 June 1892, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL.

Customs Revenue. —At Timaru last mouth the Customs returns collected amounted to £11511! 7s !) 1. Sale at Waitojh.—Attention is directed to the sale advertised by .Messrs J. Mundcdl Sc Go., to take place on the farm of Mr Thos. Simpson, Waitohi. to-morrow. Promoted. —Mr T. Chalmers, salesman to the Dunedin Land Board, has been appointed receiver of land revenue at Wellington. Till? IjsqAND Trade. —The Union Steamship Company will probably shortly extend their island service with the steamer Upolu, so as to include Taihitl and Raratonga. Thursday Hale Holiday.—The coachbuilders, blacksmiths, and wheelwrights of Geraldine have deoiled to close their respective places of business on and after to-dav, at one o’clock on Thursdays. Geraldine R M. Court. —Messrs H. W. Moore fipd Ik H. Pearpoint occcupied the Bench at the Resident Magistrate's Court, Geraldine, 0U Tuesday, and the qn|y casg heard wag (j. (3|ar|f v. Lewis Grant—Claim £2 IGs for timber supplied. Judgment was given for plaintiff by default.

Political. —The Cabinet will place on the Estimates hd'OOU for the purchase of Little Barrier Island, near Auckland, as a reserve for the preservation of native birds. -.•The Wellington Times states that Ministers have ivj intention of abandoning the proposal jho bring’ in inland penny postage. It ’will not be' practicable r io make |he change for several weeks, h.owever, on account of the details having yet to be arranged. m „ „ . ... Timauu Hospital— The following is the return of patients in the Timaru Hospital for tbe mouth of May, im:- -Patients under treatment at daim p£ laeij yetura : Males 11, females 8, IM4 adnfiffeed during month: males id, females 10, t°Fl . totals treated; males 27, females lb, total 15 Discharged during month r--Gyred; males », females 8, total 13; relieved f males i), females 2, tu u ?-l u ; dead: male 1, (Nathapial lifpuqy); totals discharged ; males 0, females 10, fb|al JO, Remaining under treatment; ma}es jfS, | females 8, total 26. Out-patients treated during the month: males 4, females It, total 10. PIIESBYTEUIAN CHURCH. GERALOIXR.— The Rev, Wm, Will, of East Tajeji, Otago, is ■mnounced to condu ;t anniversary services at the Geraldine Presbyterian Church next Sabbath. Mr Will is oneof the fathers and leaders of the Presbyterian Church in Otago, having arrived in the colony in 18M. It two years since Mr Todd settled in Geraldine, and since that time the congregations at the Presbyterian Church have been wonderfully larg’e, so much so, that last Sunday moinuig snare chairs had to be taken into the church id tefrt those who could not obtain scats in the pewy the church have decided to postpone tae hoi ling of an anniversary tea tais year till some time in September next. Geualdixe LitEßAuv and 13 e hating Society. —There was a (urge attendance of both ladies and gentlemen at this society's meeting on Monday evening. The Rev. A. B. Todd (President), occupied the chair, and the evening was devoted to readings from and discussions of the works of Charles Dickens. Mr II- W- Moore opened the evening with a well written paper treating on the life of Dickens, followed by Mr H. B. Webster with an interest ing sketch of the works of Dickens, and the order in which they were written. Dr. Fish, and Messrs Archibald, and Wiustone contributed readings of short extracts from the works of the illustrious author, and Mr M. C. Orbdl read a speech delivered by Quarles Dickens. Several members spoke on t ae works and character of Dickens, and a very profitable evening was spent. It was decided that t no I next meeting of the society be devoted to a f discussion on the poem “ Enoch Ardea.” t

The Governor.—The New Zealand Government steamer Hinemoa. with Lord Glasgow and suite on board, cleared Sydney Heads for Wellington, at 8.30 p.m on Tuesday. Pedestrianism.—A walking match has been made for £2OO and the championship of the colony, over fifty miles, and for 12 and 24 hours, between Joseph Scott and Frederick Bowen. The first event will be held in the Garrison Hall, Dunedin, with a week’s interval before the next event. Gordon Home. —At a well - attended meeting of the Y.M.C.A. rooms at Christchurch on Monday night, it was decided to form a social club for the mutual improvement and recreation of boys who have left school. It is to be called the Gordon Home, and is to be strictly undenominational. Good Marksmen.—Sergeant Mcßean, of Wellington, wins the Government gold medal as the best shot of the North Island with 90 points. Bombadier Brown, A Battery, Auckland, is second with 88 ; and Sergeant Okey, Wellington, third with 87. Wellington has been twice first in three years.

Gold Find.—An extraordinary gold find occurred at Hokitika on Monday. In washing some potatoes a fair prospect of gold was obtained. The dirt was then taken out and washed and found to be payable. The potatoes were grown at Kokatahi, about 12 miles from Hokitika, and several diggers have gone to the locality. The Gazette.—A proclamation appears in the supplementary Gazette, published on Monday night, repealing The Property Assessment Act. 1885, and The Property Assessment Act 1885 Amendment Act 1880. According to the Gazette, the Hon. W. P. Reeves is to be Commissioner of Stamps in place of the Hon. J. Ballance, who resigns that office. Dishonest Unemployed.—One of the unemployed named Simon Miller, sent to Gisborne from Auckland on Sunday last by the labor bureau, was ordered to Napier gaol for six weeks on Tuesday morning by the R.M. for using obscene language. Five men who were sent out bushfelling on properties have decamped, taking the tents, tools, and food supplied by their employers. The police are looking for the men.

Illegal Shooting.—Two men named Metzgen and Radka were fined with costs £lO each at Invercargill on Monday for shooting wild fowl on the 20th March, being out of season. They were seen by three members of the Acclimatisation Society at New River, where the firing of guns was heard and the ducks were seen to drop. The same afternoon the same party engaged a boatman to row them down another river, and gave him the ducks shot as recompense.

Peculiar Accident.—One day recently Mr John Grant, of Willowbank Farm, lost a splendid horse in a peculiar manner. Mr Grant was driving some sheep to Winchester, and was leading the horse, when a fly stung him and caused him to turn its head round to its side. In a most extraordinary way the teeth of the horse caught in the stirrup, and he plunged forward, with the result that he fell down and broke his neck. He never moved afterwards. The horse was a very valuable one, and was Mr Grant’s favorite hack.

Warning to Land and Road Boards, —At the last meeting of the Wellington Land Board Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., asserted that it was an absolute fact that a man named Cooper had hanged himself for the simle reason that he could not get out of his section because there were no roads. The other members of the Board (says the Evening Press) appeared to think that this assertion require 1 to be taken with a little salt. Mr Hogg, however, persisted in his statement, and said it took place at Pahiatua a short time ago. Woman’s Work. —How can a man say that woman has nothing to do .’ In one year she gets dinner 305 times, washes the dishes 1095 times, gets the children ready for school twice a day for 200 days, gets the baby to sleep for li(50 times, makes about !iOO calls, and, as she wishes for something she hasn’t every minute, she wishes CO things an hour, or 202,800 things in a year. And yet she does more talk in a day than two average Parliaments can get through in a week. The writer of the above (says the Hawkes Bay Herald) could never have sat in a New Zealand Parliament. Captain Barry's Discoveries. Captain Barry, after several interviews with the Native Minister, has come to a satisfactory arraugment with regard to rendering available his recently reported valuable mineral discoveries in the King Country. The locality is near Kawhia, and the block hag a]j:eady passed through the Native Land Court) ’ The Native Minister has lendertaken to draft immediate measures fop qairing a title to the land and for making the necessary surveys. A largo mineral lease will then be secured to Captain Barry as the discoverer. The Harbor Board. —We learn that a largely and influentially-signed requisition has been presented to Mr Flatman to allow himself to be nominated for re-election to the Harbor Board. We also understand fihat Mr Fiatmgn has -consented to stand. This is as it should be, but cannot a shingleshifter be found to contest the seat with him. Where is the boast of the majority now ? Why are they not coming forward to prove their cause is good ! They boast I’acy hgve a majority in the country, but the mqsii exi-raojidipapy thing is that no one can hard]y i|ud p'pe ipan in fqwqr qf the shingle being shifted. Mr Flatman is the best man Geraldine could elect- We take it for granted that he will be returned unopposed. Winchester School Cosimitte.—The mpnihly n]pef : wp of the Winchester SchoM'',Qqmmitiiee ls|d qp Friday evening last. Present Messrs R. Smith (chairman),' Delleuzy, Philp. GolUe, apd Naughton. Correspondence was received as follows; —From the Board of Education, stating that £8 17s Gd had been credited to tthe committee for incidentals ;’also asking for nominations |q ill] the vacancy caused by the resignation qf the Rev. T. J. Smyth, -.-The Rev. T. A. Hamijton was nominated. The application of the caretaker for an increase qf sajapy W,'),S deferred, as the committee hq,d no funds. T'bpee padlocks applied for wei'e granted, jibe caretaker to have sole charge of the keys- An account from Messrs P. W. Hutton & Co. for £1 17s was referred to the master for his explanation wi|,h, regard to some of thelitems, and it was resolved pimp bp must in future obtain supplies through the chairman. The master’s report was read. It showed that the number on the roll was 84, and the spficp average attendance was (50. It was resolved that a.s fcbe _ pnsuitableness 0 f the time table was menpioped ip |he |ast report the mast if be requested to attepd to that and some other matters complained of. Tbff following resolution was passed •‘‘That as subjects from the newspapers are read out in the school, which we think are not fit for children to hear, the master be requested to discontinue tac practice; also that no books not authorised by the Board be allowed in the school." It was resolved that £;5 18s Gd in hand be held over until Christmas, to be then applied to the purpose for whic h it was raised, namely, a school treat and prizes. Mr Naughtou and the chairman were appointed visitors for the month. The caretaker’s salary, £2 lbs, was passed for payment, and tUe meeting, closedi $

Timaru Harbor Board Election.— Ratepayers in the Geraldine Road district are reminded that candidates for the seat on the Timaru Harbor Board rendered vacant by Mr F. R. Flatman’s resignation, must bo nominated with Mr C. E. Sherratt, returning officer, before noon to-morrow, June 3rd. Destructive Boys. —At the South Melbourne Police Court the other day, two boys, aged eleven and thirteen years respectively, were found guilty of destroying seven boats belonging to a school. They broke open the shed, and with the head of a broom, deliberately made matchwood of £2OO worth of property, oue boat which had cost £75 being utterly demolished. The parents of the boys said that they were beyond their control, and they were sent to a reformatory. Drink and Tobacco. —The' law-makers of the State of Mississippi have embarked upon a war of extermination against drink and tobacco. By a law which has just passed both Houses of the Legislature, the license of public-houses is raised to sums ranging from £2OO to £3OO per annum, while heavy liabilities are inflicted for the sale of liquor to children or habitual drunkards. The Upper House have also passed a Bill making it a misdemeanour, punishable with fine and imprisonment, to sell or smoke any cigarette, or any substance rolled in paper, on the public streets, in any public building, railway station, or ferry, or in the vicinity of any cotton warehouse.

Reception of Lord Glasgow . Although Lord Glasgow is understood to be a Freemason, having been initiated in a lodge under the Irish Constitution abroad, it is not probable that the Masonic lodge will take part in the public reception of the new Governor. When Lord Glasgow arrives a salute will be fired from all the shore batteries and H.M.S. Ringarooma, while the latter’s bluejackets and marines will be landed to take part in the demonstration of welcome. The friendly societies will also be present and a detachment of 300 Maoris will perform a dance of welcome. The Education Board have been asked to declare a half holiday so that the school children can take part in the procession. The Permanent Artillery and Volunteer forces will be called out by the Defence Department. Disease among Horses. —At a meeting of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association at Wellington on Monday Mr Bidwell, the president, said with reference to the late agricultural conference at Christchurch, that no doubt the result would be highly beneficial to the entire agricultural and pastoral community in New Zealand. It was decided to complete the purchase of the new show grounds at Petone. Mr Coleman Phillips moved that inconsequence of the alleged introduction of the Mexican hot fly by circus horses into New Zealand the quarantine regulations be strictly enforced agaiust travelling circuses and all importations of horses. Subsequently the motion was altered to read that the atthe Government be called to the risk of importing horses from California on account of a disease called glanders being prevalent there. It was further resolved that the attention of the Stock Department be called to the existence of the hot fly in certain districts of the colony, and to the necessity of remedial measures being taken against the spread of the pest. An Energetic Member. —Tenders are accepted for building a Post Office in Waimate. This enterprise has a history. Plans were prepared and tenders called some months ago for building this Post Office in wood, but it was pointed out to the Hon. Major Steward, member for the district, that it could be done as cheaply in brick. Major Steward, finding his communications by wire and by letter with the Post-master-General unsatisfactory, jumped into the express train and went to Invercargill, where Mr Ward was staying at that time. By an hour’s conversation he succeeded in persuading that honorable gentleman to alter his views, but the heads of the department had yet to be dealt with. By the next train Major Steward returned, and without making any delay in Ashburton proceeded to Wellington, where he fixed up the whole affair, and now the result is that the Post Office is to be built of brick. We have often before called attention to the honorable gentleman’s usefulness as a representative, but this illustrates the energy he throws into his work, as well as any of his previous actions. Perhaps other districts may ask, “ Have we such an energetic member.’ ” The Christchurch Museum and Mr Forbes. The relations between the Board of Governors of the Museum, and Mr H. O. Forbes, formerly curator of the museum, came again before the board on Monday. Ppqfcssqp Hijtton, acting curator of the museum, had reported that some ■ books and bones were missing from the museum, consequently it was decided to withhold the payment of £IOO to be given to Mr Forbes in lieu of notice, pending an enquiry into the matter aud a meeting of the board. Mr Forbes thereupon issued a writ agaiust the chairman of the board to compel payment of money. The board approved of the chairman’s action in withholding the cheque, and decided to fisk Mr Forces fop an cxpkuiati jii as to the missing articles, and empowered the museum committee to adjust all matters between Mr Forbes and the board, Dr DeLatour, of Oamaru. wrote to the board claiming the moa bones found at Enfield and sent to fhe museum. His ground of claim is that he made certain 1 conditions, the chief of which was that Mr Forbes should set up the skeletons. The correspondence showed that no reference to such conditions had been made by Mr Forbes in his report to the board. The museum committee was empowered to investigate the matter. A Warning 'rq Exporters. —A. writer in' the European Max), gays : —“ I have just a word of warning to utter on the subject of New Zealand apples. Let not the market here be spoiled, I ask. through haste, thoughtlessness, and general blundering. The other day, in a certain Co- | operative Society’s list of prices, appeared | the item, New Zealand apples at Is, Is (id, and 2s per dozen- V/Of, haff-a : dozon were ordered in a certain quarter a£ the middjo price and in due course werp delivered. 'I seen, one of these apples, and anything more mfseniblp can hardly be imagined. The apples were small and somewhat dqim aged, and had not the merit of tasting any better than they looked. Indeed, truth to tell, they were uneatable, and just so much rubbish, only fit to toss away .’ Now, please to remember. (Lhe»;o apples were gathered in January, which, being equivalent any to the English July, is a bad time, for apples here are not good then, and it is a pity to send over fruit of an inferior kind, more especially to tbps prejudice a taste only in its infancy. Probably fifty peopje ordered New Zealand apples out of that list, perhaps more ; aud how many of these, I would ask will be likely to order any more New Zealand apples Thus, I repeat, is the market spoiled. Of course, nil cojqnists here know very well that New Zealand can produce—and does produce—some of the finest apples in the world, but the vast majority in this country do not know this, and those who have spent—Ud on one of these little, wretched, ugly looking abortions, which taste quite as bad as they look, will most assuredly not qrdcp New Zealand apples lagaiii.” i

Land Settlement. —There was a pretty large attendance at the Land Board office, Timaru, yesterday, when the balloting for the sections recently advertised took place. Our reporter waited, until 5 o’clock with the view of getting the result, but at that time it was not half over, and there was no possibility of getting any information as to the fortunate applicants. The results will appear in our next issue.

The Licensing Act. The Auckland South, East, and North Licensing Committees have declined to entertain a petition for extension of the hour of closing till eleven. Notice was given to the licensees of the Provincial and Pacific Hotels that the bench purpose to take action under clause G 3 to declare these houses not required in the neighborhood. On the application of counsel both applications were adjourned fora fortnight. Samoan News. News per the Upolu from Samoa reports that things are quiet amongst the Islands. The German warship Sperber is at Apia. There is nothing fresh to report regarding Mataafa’s movements. Malietoa is ill. The collection of the Samoan poll tax in copra has been deferred lor a short time. Borne concern is manifested by the European residents at Apia at the announcement that the Oceania Steamship Company’s mail steamers may possibly not call at Apia in future. A Practical Advocate. —Lord Carrington told a London interviewer that he had not the slightest fear of the Eight Hour Day. “ And to show that I have none I have introduced it on my estate, with the exception of gardeners. For instance, in summer, laborers can go to work at six in the morning; allowing intervals for meals, they have done at half-past three in the afternoou, and they can spend the rest of the day on their allotments, or in such manner as they please. In Australia, of course, the eight-hour day is a universal custom, and is perhaps a necessary condition of the climate. One of its most obvious effects is to increase the efficiency of the work. For instance, many naval officers told me that they could get as muoh work done there in the shipyards in eight hours as is done here in Government yards in twelve.” Geraldine Rifles. —Members of the Geraldine Rifles fire to-day for Lieutenant Macdonald’s cup. -The following are the handicaps : —Corp. Bethune, scr.; Corp. Irvine, 1; Sergt. Fleming, 1; Col.-Sergt. Stonehouse, and Corp. Fiefield and Coles, 6 ; Sergt. Brown, Corp. Fleming, Private Stringer, and Lance-Corp. Stonehouse, 10 ; Bandsman Kraus, 11; Privates Erskine, Gaiger, Prouting, and Ward, 12 ; Bandsman Logan, Privates Sherratt, Mines and Turner, M ; Bandsmen Sherratt and Colbert, Privates E. Heatley, W. Rae, and E. Smith, 15; Privates L. M. Heatley and 11. 11. Scott, Id; Bugler Burridge, Bandsman Winefield and Private Thomas, 17 ; Privates Ferguson and Pizzey, 18 ; Bandsman Bryant, Privates J. Irvine, H. McLeod, Post, C. H. Scott, Taylor, W. Wood, and R. Rae, 20; Privates Beckley, Cornish, Evans. Howes, 23; Private Lawlor, 23 Bandsman O’Brien, Private M. McLeod, A. Scott, and McKenzie, 25. Special Offer of “Star” Cycles.— No. 7 Star with one-inch solid tyres, £l6 10s; No. 8 Star solid tyres, £lslos. Send for catalogue. Star Cycles on Hire Purchase from 5s per week. Adams, Curties, & Co., 70 Manchester Street, Christchurch. —Advt.

SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTMrs Cutten, Temuka—Wants a housemaid. J. Grant, Willowbauk —Has accepted N. McKinnon’s tender for cropping. Mrs Twomey, Leader Office, Temuka— Wants general servant for the country. Macdonald and Macdonald, Geralline— Tenders invited for right of removing firewood from land. Geraldine Ooachhuilders, Blacksmiths,* and Wheelwrights—Notice re closing on Thursday afternoons. Priest & Holdgate, Timaru Have Howard’s celebrated Digging Plough, and Acme Harrows for sale. Wm. Frew, Storey’s Buildings, Temuka —Has a large stock of men’s clothing and drapery, and solicits a call.

Mount Peel Road Board—Want to purchase two thoroughly staunch, young, and sound draught horses for spring dray.