LOCAL & GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2464, 14 February 1893, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL.

Income Tax.—To-day is the last day upon which payment of the Income Tax can be made without incurring the additional 10 per cent.

Retired. -Mr W. Bridson, Registrar of the Native Lauds Court, has claimed his pension and is about to retire. He has been in the Government service since 18(52.

Serious Accident. Richard Spain, described as "the model village settler of the colony," is lying in an unconscious condition at Pahiatua from injury to the spine caused by the upsetting of his trap during a bolt.

Exonerated. —Dr. Giles has sent in his report on the charges brought by the Hon. Mr Mitchelson in the House of Representatives last session against Mr John King, census enumerator of Auckland, upon which Dr. Giles recently sat as Royal Commissioner. Tiie report exonerates Mr King from all charges brought against him. The Coming Election. Thursday's Ashburton Guardian says :—The Waimate Times attributes to the Ashburton Mail a statement that "'it is possible Major Steward may run Mr Rhodes lor the Pareora district at the next general election." We are not in Major Steward's confidence as to what constituency he intends to stand for, and we certainly never made such a statement as that which we have quoted.

Labor.—The members of the Christchurch branch of the Carpenters and Builders Association last week demanded an advance of J s per day on their wasres, bringing the minimum up to i)s. After some parleying the majority of the masters granted the concession, and it is expected that the others will do so.—The Westport unemployed have decided to appeal to the Government for assistance. At a meeting eighty men put down their names as in want of employment. Value of a "Wife. —A peculiar law-suit was heard at the Wellington R.M. Court, one native suing- another for £2OO damages iVr enticing his wife away and harboring her. Both were young men, and the wife was about IS. Plaintiff claimed damages for the sorrow at heart which had been causedhim by his wife'selopement. Defendant endeavored to prove that plaintiff illtreated his wife, and that he took pity on her, but this defence failed, and Mr Booth, R.M., gave judgment for plaintiff for £25, and costs, Jiß 12s.

The Cheviot Estate.—The Governmeiit have determined to sell the right to run stock on the Cheviot estate for twelve months, but a condition will be made that not more than 30,000 acres may be resumed by the Government about October, at which date it i s determined to dispose of the agricultural lauds. 85,000 acres will be let, of which 30,000 will be resumed by the Government in October, their intention being to survey the latter lor small farms, and village and town allotments. The upset rental is £867 per month.

Result of Reduced Rates. The result of the decreased cable rates for January, the first month of operation, is that the number of international messages has increased by 72.89 per cent., and 21.29 per cent, in value. This is four times belter than was estimated. Intercolonial telegrams have nearly doubled in number, but the value of receipts has decreased 26.24 per cent.; much less, however, than was anticipated, while the increase in the number was only estimated at 50 per cent. The inward messages increased 43 per cent. The Pahiatua Mystery.—What are supposed to be Jacobsen's remains have been found in a calcined state in a rata stump near the place where he had been camped at Pahiatua. On handling the bones they crumbled to dust, but the teeth, some shirt buttons, and a few trifling articles have been identified. The police decline to furnish any information whatever. It appears that Aldridge's whereabouts were discovered through a girl in Christchurch. It was from the postmark on a letter received from Aldridge that he was caught.

Ax Asylum Case. —Arthur Joincs Watts an attjnJaut.it the Suaciiif Lunatic Asylum, has been committed for trial for assaulting an epileptic patient named Duncan Gilchrist. Defendant alleged that he used no violence in preventing the patient from assaulting him. Evidence in support of the charge was given by Dr King, medical superindent. Thomas Swanston, an attendant, the patient assaulted, and two other p itieuts who were certified to be competent to give evidence, and who proved intelligent witnesses, one of tbein being complimented by the defending solicitor. Accused reserved his defence. Self-reliant Policv.—A deputation from jj)n: Woodville Borough Council waited on Sir B. Buckley and p'.o Hon. Mr iitiddww.' an I opposed the deviation in the line proposed by the Wen- '£%(, Min'isidr- inspected Commissioners . M 0 h C on. the line with Mr Hale. - ~, ~ sidered the extra expense involve.. ««" 1 , 1 be too great to warrant the deviation anu in replv to a request that, work should be commenced at Woodville, said jhnf no objssct was to bo gained by that till *ne heavier works were completed. On it being suggested that money should be boi-rowedTo complete the line, Mr Seddon | said that the Government were opposed to any such policy. They would continue the work out of consolidated revenue, and he urged that the country should be self-reliant ! and not rush into borrowing.

Bowlinc ToiraNjuruxr.— Amecting of the Bowling Association and Tournament Committee was held on Friday morning- to consider a protest entered by Mr Taylot (Canterbury) in the match Otago v. Canterr bury. After discussion it was resolved :—- •' That the skip of the Canterbury rink played bis last suofc from information that lie received from the secretary of the Association (which nlt-.a-wards turned out to be correct) that Canterbury u r as_ four behind." The protest was then withdrawn. The single championship was won by W, Cowie (Dunedin) 18, who beat A. Eraser, (Dunedin) 9, who retired at the ISth head. The Otago representatives played off for the interprovineial match trophies—Dunedin. J, Hunter skip, 18, Kaituna, P. Sneddon skip, !>; Taieri, 11. Bishop, skip, 28, beatßosljn, P. Wow skip, 18. In the final tie Dunedin reached i'.l to Taieri's 8 in the sixteenth head, and the latter retired,

Geraldine Stock Sale.—The fortnightly sale of stock at Geraldine takes place to-inorrow.

Band ov Hope.—A meeting of the Temuka Presbyterian Band of Hope takes place in Church on Tnursday evening, to which all are invited.

The Governor.—The Hinemoa arrived at Westport at 0.30 on Sunday morning with the Governor and suite on board. They visited the coal mine at Dennistoun yesterday, and will visit Mokihinui to-day. Recovering.—Colonel Eichbaum, who met with a serious accident at the Point on Sunday, the sth February, has regained consciousness, and is slowly recovering. The shock he sustained was very severe.

The Dairy Industry Act.— In our advertising columns the attention of manufacturers and exporters of dairy produce is specially directed to the provisions of the Dairy Industry Act, 18!)2, as it will be strictly enforced on and after the Ist March.

Fire.—At 2 o'clock on Saturday morninga seven-roomed house at Linwood,Chri3tchurch, owned and occupied by W. Mills, was totally destryed by fire. The family escaped with difficulty. A few articles of clothing were saved and a little furniture. The building was insured for £2OO.

Bad Milk Supply.—Tne Post's Masterton correspondent wires : —" Shocking revelations nave been made in connection with tue milk supply of the town. It has been discovered tnat several children have been poisoned by pyrotoxicon. The germs were developed in the milk, and Dr. says that something will have to be uone at once to prevent putrid milk being supplied."

Importation of Stud Sheep.—Mr R. Keliand, of Fairview, Timaru, has just imported from England a valuable addition to ais English Leicester flock, in the shape of tsoveusUeep by the s.s. Matatua, and they are now on the quarantine groun 1 at Quail Island Tnere are wo rams ana five ewes, all in good health and very fair condition. They are from the best English Leicester flocks, and are calculated to be of considerable service to the breed in tne colony. One of the rams especially is a grand sheep, and was never beaten iu tae Old Country.—Press.

Obituary.—The funeral of Miss Paterson took place last Suuday, and was one of the largest we have seen in the district. The circumstances under which Miss Paterson died were very sad. A few days before her death she was sitting with her friends in tue pavilion in the Geraldine Park watching a game of cricket. Sue was in excellent health and spirits, when she fell down in an apoplectic fit. She never recovered consciousness, and from the first Dr Fish, who attended her, had no hopes of her recovery. Miss Paterson was beloved by all who knew her, and her sad death will be deeply regretted by a large circle of friends.

Vice-lloyalty.—Lord and Lady Hopetoun left Tirnaru for Ashburton by the first train on Monday morning. On last Saturday the party went to fish at Orari. Lady Hopetoun, with Miss Clark and others were driven by Mr A. M. Clark, while Mr Brydone drove another vehicle in which other members of the party rode. Bringing up the rear was His Excellency the Governor of Victoria on horse-back and accompanied by Mr Orbeil and some other gentleman. Out of compliment no doubt to colonials, Hid Lordship rode in his shirtsleeves, his coat being strapped on to the saddle in front of him; he also wore a slouched hat, and presented anything but an awe-inspiring figure. No doubt, His Lordship thinks this is the correct thing in this part of the world, but he may as well know that Colonials would be far better pleased to see His Lordship maintaiuing the dignity of his position. We are democratic enough in all conscience, but we do not like to see the representative of Her Majesty riding through the town in hiß shirt-sleeves.

Subdivision of Large Estates—lt is said that very extensive improvements are in progress on some of the largest land estates in Hawke's Bay. The estatas of Mr Purvis Eussell (Woburn), and of Mr Sydney Johnston (Oruawharo), are referred to as special instances. Both of these large owners are in England. It is affirmed that their estates and others will besubdividedsoas to exclude them from the operations of the progressive land and bring them within the improvement and exemption clatises of the Land Tax Bill. The Government claim that these facts are a proof of the efficacy of their land policy, and are really in conformity with the intention of passing of the new lands laws of the colony. It is also stated that there is an increasing demand for land in Hawke's Bay. The establishment of dairy factories in the district, at Norsewood and Maharahara, has contributed greatly to the prosperity of the district, and this requires subdivision of large estates into grazing blocks of convenient areas.—Otago Daily Times. Suicides. —A man was found hanging by a rope from a tree in Newton Park, Wellington, on Saturday morning. He was quite dead when discovered, and had been apparently dead for some time. From papers in the pockets there is no doubt the body is that of Henry Donnelly, engineer, late of Auckland, where he leaves a family. Deceased arrived at Wellington a short lime ago, and a week ago was reported missing. He was seen on Thursday night going in the direction of the park.—Hames, lately the poundkeeper at Palmerston North, hanged himself on Saturday afternoon. When cut down he was quite dead. —A married woman named Margaret Thompson, aged 38, left her home at Rangiora at i) o'clock on Friday night. She had been unwell for six weeks, and had been attended by a doctor. At 7 o'clock she put her children to bed, saying that she would be asleep all next day. She did not return, and her husband searched for her alone. On Saturday morning she was found drowned in a creek three quarters of a mile from her home. Dr. Clayton, who attended her, considered that her state of mind warranted her husband in having someone to look after her. ami toil the husband so. The jury returned a verdict of temporary insauity, adding that the husband was in a measure to blame for not getting the neighbors to assist in the search for the deceased when he found that she had left her home.

Earthquake.—About <S o'clock on Sunday morning a sharp shock of earthquake, listing several seconds, was experienced. It was not severe enough, however, to do any damage. At Wellington, Blenheim, and Nelson, the shock caused considerable damage. At Wellington a few chimneys 'were levelled and plate glass windows broken or cracked in various parti of the city. The free public library just cora-p^-+ad. a building of brick an i Oamaru stone, Werei. A number of joints at the top of the structure where the stone joined the bricks, opened slightly, and small portions the cornices fell away, but nothing serious. Many articles were thrown from s'MveSJ, At Blenheim many chimneys were injured aii2 will have to be rebuilt, and stooks of glassware and crockeryware considerably damaged _At Nelson'many chimney* suffered, and m a number of houses articles were thrown down and destroyed. At t-Jio Government buildings only one chimney entirely escaped. The top of one was slewed round, pd& in the others the brickwork is shattewl. cracked, or broken away. At College Hill the backs from a chimney fell on to the beds which wort, occupied. A| the college, hospital, gaol, asylum, and iJHiopdale, the chimneys are damaged, and in i,b,e front pediment of the Bank of New Zealand the ,stonework is cracked. The spire of the Gattiediai appears to be out of plumb, and in many shops the plate slags windows were broken or cracked. The interior of the Nelson Club shows evidence of a movement of the stone buildin"- In some stores much daraa"c° was done. The mayor's house suffered a good deal. It is thought that the loss will exceed £4OOO. No one was hurt.—The shock was felt in other places, but not 90 severely,

Proposed Butter . Factory. A sparsely attended meeting of farmers was held in Timaru on Saturday last to take into consideration a proposal to start a butter factory at Timaru with creameries at Temuka, Orari (or Winchester), Geraldine, Pleasant Point, St. Andrews, Makikihi. Studholme. Mr Crawford Government Dairy expert said no creameries should be started unless a guarantee was given for the supply of milk from at least 100 cows in the near vicinty. On the supposition that such a guarantee could be got at each of the places named, and that 3d per gallon were paid for the milk, Mr Crawford gave the following on that basis : —First cost—Factory and creamery at Timaru £BSO, seven creameries at £350 each £2450, total £3300; if freezing machine added at factory, £350, the total would be £3050. Working expenses on bhe supposition that each creamery received 300 gallons per day and the central factory 1(500 gallons, in all 4000 per day:— wages, coal, oil, etc., etc., £4O per week ; 24,000 gallons of milk at 3d (skim milk returned) £300; depreciation on plant and buildings 10 per cent., £7 per week total £347 per week. Receipts, 96001 bof butter weekly at Siidf.o.b, £3BO, less cost of packages 2s 8d per cwt, £ll 9s 4d, £368 10s Sd. Profit £2llos 8d per week. Then the skim milk was estimated at per gallon as pig feed, with other feed stuffs. The yield of butter was based upon experience elsewhere, and the price named, 9£d f .0.b., could practically be guaranteed by the Dairy Association, and it might be better. Mr Crawford said the estimate of working expenses was a liberal one, provided good managers were employed, and if the supply increased the running expenses would not be much increased, and the profits would be much larger. After some discussion it was decided to adjourn until a future date, Mr Crawford in the meantime to hold meetings at the centre where it is proposed to establish creameries. The proposal is to establish a company with a capital of £SOOO in £1 or £2 shares. Mr Scott, who represented the middle Island Dairy Association, said that nearly every factory owned by individuals had come to grief, because the farmers, if anything else seemed better for the moment dropped dairying for a year, and the factory had to shut up. On the other hand factories owned by suppliers had been a success all along, paying good dividends and a good price for milk. SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS. F.S. —Wants situation as cook. G. Prattley, Arowhenua Store—Wants a boy. Presbyterian Band of Hope, Temuka— Meeting on Thursday evening. P. Swaney, Kakahu Road —Notice re horses strayed into his paddock. J. H. Dean, Undertaker —Funeral notice re the late Mrs Joseph Greaves, Woodbury. Minister for Agriculture—lmportant notice to manufactures and exporters of dairy produce. Mrs Mcintosh—lmportant notice re New Zealand Hair Restorer; sold by all storekeepers in Geraldine and Temuka. Geraldiue County Council—Special order constituting the Four Peaks Water Supply District as from the 13th April. W. J. Cole, Wallingford Hotel, Temuka —ls prepared to take orders for N. Oates's and Adams, Curties & Co's celebrated bicycles. E. Brown, Coal and Timber Merchant and Ironmongery—Draws attention to his stock of ironmongery, furnishings, coal, and timber, etc.

J. Ballantyne & Co. —Are offering special inducements to purchasers of ready-made clothing ; notice re tailor-made clothing, and special to ladies re riding habits. K. P. Gray—Has started in business in Temuka as a valuator, house and land estate agent, and general cornmision agent; is a buyer of wheat, grass seed, hides, and wool.