LOCAL & GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2519, 22 June 1893, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL.

Sweating. —At the Wellington Benevolent Institute on Tuesday, a woman stated that by dint of hard working from dawn to dark she was able to earn only 2s fid per week at shirt-making. Inspector oe Schools. —Mr T. Ritchie, 8.A., master of the Opawa school, has been up, ointed to the third inspectorship by the N.C. Education Board. There were thirteen applicants for the post. Central Dairy Factory. —The formal opening of the Canterbury Central Dairy Factory took place at Christchurch on Tuesday. Speeches were delivered by Sir John Hall, the Hon. W. Montgomery, and the Hon. W. Rolleston. The Gumeiblds,— ln giving evidence before the Gumfields Commission at Fort Albert, Mr P Armitage, a storekeeper, said that the publicans, sly grog sellers, and wine-makers were the only people who made anything out of the gum-diggers. Furniture Sale. —Messrs H. B. Webster & Co hold a largo clearing sale of furniture, &c . at Geraldine to-day, on account of Dr. Cr ig. Tne doctor being about to leave the district, the whole must be sold. Particulars will be found iu our advertising toluwM-

The Weather. —Captain Edwin reports than there are now strong evidences of heavy gales from the north-west changing by the west to south-west between noon on the 2lst and midnight on the 23rd. Fatal Accident. A singular death occurred at Wellington in a very simple fashion. A young man aged 22, named George Pycroft, was out riding when his horse fell and Pycroft broke his big toe. Lockjaw supervened, and next day he was dead, despite all the doctors could do. Political.— ln the Legislative Council the Hon. J, McGregor will move, and the Hon. W. Jennings second, the Address-in-Reply. It is understood that a member of the Legislative Council, most likely one of the new members, will be appointed a member of the Executive Council without Portfolio, in order to assist the Colonial Secretary in that Chamber. Boat Accident. —James Hart, a blacksmith, aged about 30 years, left Nelson on Saturday in a decked boat intending to sail to Moutere. On Monday his boat was found on a sandbank in the harbour with some parcels on board. The mainsail being close reefed it is thought that in setting the jib he got washed overboard on Saturday night. A search party went out and found an oar belongiug to the boat on the sands two miles from the harbour. Sir Robert Stout. —lt is said that the newly-elected member for Inangahua will be asked to second the motion for the Addresa-in-Reply. This office has in old times been conferred upon a junior member of the House and party in power. I know of nothing against the highest Parliamentary authority discharging the duty, but it has struck me, and it has struck others, as being an unusual thing to see one of the high -st parliamentary reputations, a former Premier and Aitorney-generol called upon to discharge a <’uty which has hitherto been imposed upon a political neophyte. The Press of tais evening thinks that the fact of Sir Robert Stout having takeu a seat on the cross beaches suggests a somewhat strained relation between himself and the Premier. I confess myself I do not see force of this reasoning. Wellihgton Correspondent Otago Daily Tiroes. The Opposition. The Otago Daily Times says -I understand that a meeting of the Opposition is convened for Friday next. I have seen the circular received by some Opposition members of the House. It is stated that the meeting is called for the purposes of organisation. A similar circular has been received by influential commercial men and others not in Parliament. and this leads me to assume that the proposed movement is a “ movement out of doors ” to discuss the situation with the aid of Opposition members of Parliament. I do not feel at liberty to mention the place of meeting or the names of the gentlemen who are expected to take part in the proceedings. I can but say that some of them occupy the highest portions, both commercially and socially. Whether the scope of this movement is restricted to the proceedings in Parliament during the comingsession or embraces the coming general election I cannot say with certainty, but I should think that both “ events” are contemplated a-< calling for the aid of some organised movement. Small Birds Nuisance. —At a meeting of the Gore Farmers’ Club, held on Saturday, eommunicahions were read from the Waikawa Farmers’ Club, the Geraldine County Acclimatisation Society, and other bodies urging united and simultaneous actions in the destrucion of small birds. It was resolved to send replies that the club recommends action ta be taken to enforce the Act of 1891, clause 7 of which provides that “upon the report of the inspector that the enforcement of the Act is necessary within any county, riding, road district. borough or town district, the Minister for Lands may require the local authority to give effect to the provisions of the Act.” Some months ago the Gore Club asked the covmty council to take such steps for the district, but the council prefers to offer clubs pound for pound towards poisoning. Some members proposed that the club should spend a part of its cash in hand in this way. Others objected, as it meant simply voluntary assessment in addition to county and road rates, both of which are at pr sent used to some extent for the purpose ; and in consideration of the diversity of opinion it was agreed to adjourn the discussion to another meeting. The Trendenham FiRE.-Atthe Resident Magistrate’s Court, Wellington, on Tuesday, Captain Baldwin was charged with having unlawfully, maliciously, and feloniously, set fire to a house known as “ Tredenham,” at the Lower Hutt, on the night of the 21th May. Seventeen witnesses were examined for the prosecution, the evidence in the main being a repetition of that given at the Coroner’s inquest. At half-past 4 o’clock the Court adjourned for an hour to enable the Resident Magistrate to consider his decision. On resuming he said that he had come to the conclusion that he could see no reason why Captain Baldwin should b- askr.d to stand his trial. He held the opiuion that no jury which honestly curried out the oath adminstered to it, could convict accused, He reviewed the evidence at length, and said that the actions of Captain Baldwin, both before and subsequent to his leaving the building on the afternoon of the day of the fire, were those of an innocent man, as no attempt had been made to hide his identity. The evidence for the prosecution had been put fairly and the construction drawn from it, but the Crown had to prove that it was not capable of bearing another construction. In this case he thought it was the absence of motive that was the insuperable difficulty, and he pointed out that Captain Baldwin would not derive a single copper from the destruction of the building. In concluding the Resident Magistrate said that it was competent for the Crown Law Officers to prefer an indictment against accused on the Coroner’s Inquisition, but he was strongly of opinion that there was no case to answer- Captain Baldwin then left the court with big friends. Mr Reeves at Christchurch. — The „ Reerei was besieged by depnA “' A number of men tations on iuesuay. from the WeH Coast road w^ 3 complained of unsatisfactory arrangements, an... Minister promised to have them remedied. Many individual applications were made for work or redress for dismissal from some branch of the Government, and the Minister agreed to refer them to the proper departments. The Temperance party aflsei for amendments in the Licensing Act, as under the decision of the Appeal Court the party felt they were debarred from exercising their votes and They were debarred from nominating a committee pledged to refuse licenses, and this defect they wanted remedied before the next election. Mr Reeves replied that it was a question whether the people wanted so absolute and extreme a reform as the Temperance party urged, and it was a matter for their friends in Parliament whether the House moved to take it into con si 'oration this session. Licensed Victuallers for an amendmerit in the Act, by which hotelkeepers boul I receive more definite and accurate information ns to prohibited persons. Mr Reeves agreed to place the question before the Minister for Defence and the Minister of Justice, and promised to bring it under the notice of the latter. He agreed that magistrates shouldd have power to send oabitual drunkards up for longer perio -S oi imprisonment or to Inebriates’ Homes. Ihe Canterbury Liberal Association introduced the matter of purchase of land under the Lands for Settlement Act. and regretted that nothing had been done under it so far in relieving the unemployed. Mr Reeves promised to support the passing of compulsory clauses. The Students of Truth complained that a license to marry had not been issued to Mr Worthington, by the h gistr.. r Goner* 1 this year, and Mr Reeves promised to la/ th matter before the department, though ho could not Bay that a lioeaiQ should fie issued,

Sale at Rangitata.—The C.F.C. Association hold a clearing sale of live and dead farming plant at Rangitata to-day on account of Messrs MoNevin and Aitken. Modest Wants.-—The N.C. Board of Education have supplied the Minister of Education with a list of buildings they urgently require, the value of which is put down at £8446. Less urgent requirements are put down at £2900. Bible in Schools.—The Invercargill South school committee refused the request of the local Ministers’ Association for ten minutes Bible reading in the school in the morning after the opening of the school, on the ground that it would be unfair to Roman Catholics, and have a tendency to introduce denominationalism. Ministers were informed they could have the use of the schools before or after school hours. Forgery.—James Wilson alias Heller, charged with forging and uttering, and Ernest Gundlook, with a troop of aliases, for aiding and abetting, were brought up on remand at the Blenheim Court on Tuesday morning, and after the evidence had been heard, prisoners were committed for trial. Wilson in giving evidence against Gundlook, admitted having forged six cheques, four of which were destroyed, and stated thas it was arranged to obtain about £2OO in view of a trip to Australia. Both men arrived from Christchurch four weeks ago. Raukapuka Licensing Committee.— The adjourned annual meeting of this committee was held yesterday at noon. Present —Messrs W. M. Moore (chairman), G. J. Dennistonn, R. Thew, and Barker. A letter was received from the licensee of the Star of the South Hotel, Rangitata, stating that owing to the increased illness of his wife he intended to put his business on the market for sale at once, and asked for a temporary renewal of license. The bench granted the temporary renewal on condition that a new licensee is obtained before the next quarterly meeting. The meeting then terminated. Bazaar and Gist Auction. —We would again remind our readers of the Bazaar and Gift Auction in connection with the Wesleyan Church, which commences in the Temuka Drill Shed, to-morrow, at 2.20., Members of the Church have for some considerable time been preparing for the same, and we are assured that the display of goods will be a large and first class one. Tomorrow evening, in addition to the show of articles pleasing to the eye, visitors will have the pleasure of hearing a number of choice musical and vocal selections by wellknown Timaru and local amateurs. The bazaar will be continued on Saturday, the principle attraction in the evening being a show of lime-light views. Magic Lantern Entertainment. — Last evening Mr Knight (of Timaru), gave an exhibition of lime-light views in the Primitive Methodist Church, Temuka, the descriptive remarks being given by the Rev. Mr Woodward. The attendance was very good. The views shown depicted a trip from New Zealand to England and back, and some New Zealand scenes. The principal buildings, etc., in Honolulu, San Francisco, New York, Washington, Queenstown, Glasgow, Edinburgh, London, etc.,, were shown; also the Niagara and other falls, scenes at the Zoo,” Venice, Rome, Gibraltar, Malta, etc. Afew amusing scenes were interspersed, and the exhibition closed with some views of statuary. The exhibition was a first class one, and all present thoroughly enjoyed themselves. At the close Mr Knight was accorded a hearty vote of thanks on the motion of Messes W. Smith and Bryan, N.Z. Alliance. —A meeting of the Temuka members of the N.Z. Alliance was held last night, in the vestry-room of the Wesleyan Church, the Rev. Mr Dickson being in the chair, the attendance being about twenty. It was decided to call the local branch the Direct Veto Association, in affiliation with the New Zealand Alliance, the membership fee to be one shillmg. It was also decided to ask the co-operation of kindred societies to influence the North Canterbury Education Board to introduce Dr Richardson's Temperance Lesson Book- into the schools, as had been done by the Ncrbh Canterbury Board. It was decided to send Mr Freddy to Wellington to attend a convention of temperance organisations, which will take place early in July. The Revs, Dickson, Dellow, and Butterfield, and Messrs Russell, Cooper, Monahan, and Davey were apappointed a committee to hold meetings in the outlying districts to advance the cause of temperance. After discussing some further business the meeting terminated with the usual compliment to the chairman

SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS. D. McLeod —Trespass notice. G-. McS. Gentlemun—Notice re accounts Nalder Bros., Woodslie—Trespass notice. C.F'C. Association—Entries of horses for sale at Tattersali’s on Saturday, In Bankruptcy —Re Tom Davis, of Temuka, farmer and contractor; first meeting of creditors on 30th Juno. J. Ballanytne & Co. —Particulars of re markable purchases of dress tweeds, silk scarves, ribbons, etc,, etc., with quotations for same.