LOCAL & GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2585, 23 November 1893, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL.

Attemptsd Suicidr.—-Mrs Rowe, wife of Thomns Rowe, Newton road, Auckland, attempted suicide by swallowing matches. She has given no reason for her con met. She was sent to the hospital. Political Addressks. —Mr Rhodes wjU speak at Totara Valley to-night, and at Winchester to-morrow night. Mr Flatman speaks at Kin.-:sJown to-night, and at Fairlie to-morrow night. Mr Cuthbertson speaks at Rangitata South at Arundel to-morrow, and at Greraldice on Mondav niirht. Primitive Mbthodist Bible Class.— A meeting of the above was held on Tuesday evening last, when there was a fiir attendance of members. The Rev Mr Hindes read a. most interesting paper, after which there w»s a brief discussion. The passage taken was the 2nd chapter of Matthew Ist to 12th verse. The meeting closed with prayer by Rav. Mr Hindes,

The Weather.—Rain oommenced to fall on Tuesday evening, and at times yesterday it fell heavily. Postponed Meeting.—The Rev. Mr Isitt's meeting at Temuka, announced for Friday, has been postponed The Harper Bankruptcy.—ln spite of the Judge's direction to the contrary, the grand jury brought in a true bill in the case of George Harper and Maude. Geraldine Farmers' Club. Major Moore was to have read a paper on " Grasses " at the Geraldine Farmers' Club on Monday evening, but farmers being busy shearing they were not able to put in an appearance. The Rangitata Election.—Mr W. S. Maslin has been accepted by the Premier as the Government candidate for Rangitata. All other pretended Liberals are votesplifcters, and those who throw away their votes on them will make a great mistake. Magisterial.—At the R.M. Court, Temuka, on Tuesday, before 0. A. Wray, Esq., R.M., W. McLeod sued V. Tayler for £2 Gs 6d, goods supplied. Judgment was given for plaintiff for amount claimed and costs. This was all the business, all other cases being settled out of Court. Temuka Flower Show. The prize schedules of the Temuka Floral and Horticultural Society are now out of the printers' hands, and can be obtained _ from E. C. Dann or members of the committtee. The prize li*t is a first-rate ono, donors of private prizes having been exceptionally liberal, -.nd should attract a large number of exhibitors. Dr Barnaedo's Concert.—The annual entertainment at Geraldine in aid of Dr Bamardo's Homes takes place to-morrow night. A first class programme has been prepared, which will be found in our advertising columns. The programme comprises songs, glees, and tableaux, and will conclude with a musical extravaganza " Abou Hassan, the Wag." There will no doubt be a large attendance. The prices are: front seats 2s, back seats Is. Anyone wishing a good evening's enjoyment should be present. Rangitira Valley School. The following high class report on the annual standard examination of this school was laid before the committee at its last meeting:—" Percentage of passes, 81 ; percentage of failures, 0; percentage on class subjects, 69; additional marks, 50. The preparatory pupils make very good progress. The school has passed an excellent examination. The order, attention, and manners are good.—J. G. Gow, M.A., Inspector." The committee expressed the greatest satisfaction for the good result of the year's work, and the chairman was requested to signify the same to Mr James Gillespie, the head teacher. UNiVEitsiTy Examinations.—The following is the list of University candidates at the examinations now going on all over the colony :—lB for honours in arts ; 1 for honours in science ; 2 in A pass; 2 for LL.D. pass ; 27 for LL.B. pass ; 151 for B.A. pass 10 for B.Sc, pass ; 4 for Mus.B. pass ;28 for M.B. pass ; 19 for senior scholarships ; 4 for Tinline scholarships ; 4 for engineering ; 78 for law professional ; 7 for teachers' C certificate ; grand total 355. For the December examination there are entered 4G5 for matriculation; 29 for junior scholarships ; 2S for law professional ; 28 for medical preliminary; total 600. Of the 955 candidates 307 are women. The Premier.—The Hon. R. J. Seddon passsed through on his way to Dunedin by express train last Tuesday. At Timaru, he was met by a kr.;e number of friends, »nd three cheer 3as ne was leaving there. On reaching Dunedin he was welcomed by the Ladies'Franchise League, and, aft r making a brief speech drove to the residence of Mr Hutchison, M.H.R., where he stayed for the night. He went on to Gore next morning, and spoke there last night. A telegram states that he will speak this evening in Timaru, and to-morrow evening at Ashburton, but we do not believe this, as his intention was not to return from the south until text Saturday. New Zealand Wool in Chicago.— Referring to New Zealand wools shown at the Chicago Exhibition the judge, Mr Price, said this was undoubtedly the choicest collection of New Zealand wools ever seen in the United States. Mr Douglaß M'Lean's merino fleeces came in for very high praise, one fleece in particular being considered equal to the finest, if not the finest, in the whole show. In regard to the bale shown by Mr Goulter (Blenheim), the report states that the wool is of very high quality, very soft and bright, and exceptionally New Zealand wool of good condition. Some of the other reports on tbe bales shown by the exhibitors are hardly less laudatory. Effects of Certain Plants on Butter. —As showing the effects of a certain class of plants in pasturage on the churning of butter, a rather extraordinary case is recorded in late home papers. Nearly the whole of last summer Mrs Sworder, of Tawney Hall, Epping—an expert in dairying, and a prize-taker for her product—found the utmost difficulty in churning the cream of a herd of 17 cows, Jersey and Shorthorns. The butter would not " come " properly, and there was therefore an immense loss of it in the buttermilk. After churning for a considerable time, probably for hours on some occasions, instead of forming into granules the cream remained as if " whipped " and could only be made Libellous Statement. —Recently at a meeting to protest against the Alcoholic Liquor Bill, the Rev. J. P. Elinton made some statements implying that a constable in a prohibition district near Dunedin had become bankrupt through the loss of tips formerly received from publicans. The circumstance as given pointed to Constable Carmody, Roslyn, and he was given permission to vindicate his character. Mr Hinton published a letter apologising, and said that his language must have heen unfortunately chosen. Carmody'a solicitors declined to accept the explanation as candid, and desired to get the paper from which the rev*, gentleman had read, concluding by asking the name of his solicitor to accept service of a writ. Mr Hinton's solicitors replied asking what the other side wanted, and Carmody's solicitors replied intimating that a!.' *bat was desired was a vindication of character—fch a * on the publication of correspondence in the local papers and the payment of all costs no further action would be taken. This has been accepted. Insolvency.—An adjourned meeting of the creditors of John Blanchard Woodhead was held in the Courthouse. Temuka, last Tuesday. Mr Montgomery, Deputy-Official Assignee, presided, and about five or six creditors were present. Mr Montgomery read the evidence taken at the previous examination of the debtor in Timaru. It was to the effect that he commenced farming 20 years ago, his father having given him the use of 20 acres of land for which he paid no rent.. His father also had from time to time given him £3OO, and took a bill of sale over his effects. A firp, bad crpps, and sickness were the cause of his insolvency. Some of the creditors present examined jbhe debtor as to whether he represented that he owned t ; he land when getting credit from them. This the debtor stoutly deuied, but the creditors maintained that he did.. They also agreed that the debtor had said his father was going- to sell the iand to pay his debts, and that the property was placod in Mr Mundell's hands. This was denied by the debtor's brother and Mr Mundell's clerk, but tbe debtor asserted that his father promised to do it. Much amusement was caused regarding tho account of a publican. He g&ve the publican his crop, which was worth £SO, and also £l|. J 5s worth of work, but the more he gave him the big-gor th<) account got. The liabilities were; secured £303, unsecured £llO ss. The asset < were nil. The creditors felt disposed to recommend the debtor to be publicly examined, but, alter discussing ifc, it was decided that it was not worth whij,c, and go the matter was. allowed to droji.

Heavy Shearing.—The shearing of the Hynarn stud sheep, the property oil Messrs W. Smith & Co., Victoria, was held lately, when a number of experts were invited to witness the weighing of the fleeces,. The following weights were recorded •—Twotooth ram, by Jumbo, cut 14|lb, and the fleece after being carefully skirted weighed BJlb. A six-tooth ram, by Jumbo cut 181 b; last year this ram cut a fleece weighing 17£lb. Jumbo, bred by Messrs W. Gibscn & Son, Scone, cut 1741 b, making a total of 95Jib for the last five years, or an average of J 91b per annum for that time. A twotooth ewe, by Jumbo, cut 1141 b; and a fourtooth ewe, by the same sire, cut 1341 b.

SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS. Guardian Office—Reward for lost dog. Rev. Mr Isitt's Meeting at Temuka—ls postponed. T. B ourke—Notice re sale of firewood and furniture. B. Tripp, Orari Gorge station—Shearing commences on the 29th. Priest & Holdgate—P, &D. Duncan's first prize drill on view. " J.D.," Temuka Leader Wants to rent furnished apartments. Barnardo Concert and Dramatic Entertainment—At Geialdine to-morrow night. R M. Cuthbertson —Addresses meeting of electors at Geraldine on Monday evening. C. A. Williams, Temuka—Three weeks' sale of drapery and groceries prior to stock taking; quotes prices. C.F.C. Association—Special general meeting on 2nd December; sale of town property at Geraldine on December Ist.

■ CORRESPONDENCE. [We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.! THE PAREORA ELECTION. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —A 3an elector for the district of Pareora, ray opinion of the rival candidates has undergone a great change since listening to the eloquent baldness of Mr F". R. Flatman's speech of last night. It was, I must say, with sorrow, not unmixed occasionally with a little amusement, that 1 listened to what I suppose Mr Flatman fondly hoped, and perhaps still believes, to be a political address; but surely the electors of Pareora will view this matter in a different light, and not return as their representative to Parliament a man who certainly has the honesty to admit his ignorance, but can scarcely be expected to uphold the dignity and honor which should be his lot as their representative in the House. He said in his speech in refereuce to " The Noxious Weeds Bill," that there was not a single farmer in the House to advise him on that measure, and that he had put his pen through a certain clause, which, nevertheless, appeared in the Bill. To prevent such mistakes in future, Mr Flatman, I take it, considers that he should be returned to Parliament; but what as 1 Is Mr Flatman going to Parliament to perform the duties of a printer's devil, and correct proofs for the Minister of Lands? One of the few questions that Mr Flatman answered was as follows: "In the event of Mr Flatman being returned, would he join the other Prohibitiouists in placing ;Hr Robert Stouf at the head of the Government V His answer was : " I will follow tho leader with the greatest majority, irrespective of party or feeling." This is honest, but it will hardly satisfy the electors of Pareora to have in their representative a man who boldly states: "1 am a mere dummy, and always go with the majority, quite irrespective of the measure."—l am, etc., An Elector. November 17,1893.

[Mr Flatman did not admit his ignorance, but most people will pardon him if he did not give the exact answers which his opponents wanted to the countless questions prepared by Mr Surridge with the aid of Parliamentary blue books. He answered them in the manner in which foolish questions ought to be answered. It was in connection with the the Stock Bill, and not the Noxiou3 Weeds Bill that Mr Flatman quoted Mr McKenzie. The question, of the leadership was answered to the entire satisfaction of the Liberals. There is no doubt but Mr Seddon will have the largest following in the new Parliament. He has been returned unopposed, while Sir Robert Stout runs the chance of being defeated. Our correspondent is not a Liberal, or he would be perfectly satisfied. It is enough to say Mr Seddon himself is satisfied with the answer. Mr Flatman has not been, and never will bo, a dummy anywhere. He fought bravely for the minority on the Harbor Board till his friends became the majority. Sneers from the enemy's camp will not hurt Mr Flatman.—Ed.]

THE RaNGITATA ELECTORATE. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The supporters of the present Government in this district owe you their thanks for your leaderette on Mr Maslin's candidature, which appeared in this morning's issue. It is not to add anything to your leader that I ask you to publish this lettsr, but merely to again point out and to emphasise as strongly as possible the danger there is of a split in the Liberal veto, and tho necessity of all supporters of the preseot Government, of all who wish the present party to remain in power, of giving their votes to the candidates who have the support and confidence of the present leader of the Government. Tho Hon. Mr Seddon's telegram is clear and precise, and leaves no doubt as to the fact that Mr Maslin is receiving the support of the Government. It runs as follows:

" To E, Robson, Esq., " Your telegram informing me that the Liber il Association and Laborers' Union have selected Mr Maslin to represent the district, to hand. I cordially accept nomination, and wish Mr Maslin every success, and I shall be only too happy to render him all the assistance I can. You are at liberty to make this known. " R. J. Seddon, " Rakaia."

Mr Cathbertson is not a supporter of the Government, and is not supported by them. Mr Graham is supported by nobody, and supports nobody. Mr Wright is an out-and-out Oppositionist. Neither Mr Cuthbertson or Mr Graham have the slightest chauce of being returned. I say, therefore, ib in the plain duty of the Liberal electors of IJangitata to throw everything except loyalty to their party on one side, and to vote for Mr Masliu on Tuesday next. If they do not do this, what took place at Ashburton when Mr Wright was returned at the last election, will take place again. At that time there were four candidates, three Liberals and one Conservative, who happened, as in the present case, to be Mr E. G. Wright. There were lfigQ vqtp;} PRlJerl at sh,n pjeptjcjiij o| Mr Wfight pqUed Ej7B,' the thre§ Liberal candidates receiving the remaining 1042. Mr Wright Mr Sawle by [few votes. That is, to sny, ajtlpngh the majority flf the votes polled in fay/ui' of Liberal 'measures by

two to one, fctill, owing to these votes being split, a small minority of the electors returned their member. Now notice that Mr Wright is pursuing the same tactics this year. He is avowedly contesting the seat against three Liberal candidates, and unless the Liberal electors of Kangitata are true to themselves and their cause, and vote for one and the same Libaral candidate, he will without doubt be'returned. Notice also that Mr Wright's politics have undergone a change Within the last few days. His opposition to the present Government is not changed, but he is now not sound on the education question, and he is receiving the support of the publicans in this district, although until hitdy he has always supported the direct veto. Fellow electors of Rangitata, to avoid all complications and to aid the present Goverment, who I know a majority of you, ay, a majority of the electors of the colony believe in, to aid the present Government, I say with all your strength and power, be sure to vote on Tuesday next for the man whom the present Government has nominated and is supporting. That man is Mr Maslin. Do not repeat the Ashburton fiasco of dividing your votes between two or three candidates and allowing the Conservative to skip smiling in.—l am, etc., Government Liberal. November 18, 1093. RE TEMUKA PARK BOARD COMMITTEE. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,--In answer to a letter which appeared in Tuesday's issue of your paper, signed " A Satisfied Elector," it is true a meeting of the above committee was held to consider Lie O'Callagan's report, and Mr Rhodes was present. A resolution was passed thanking him for the trouble he had taken in forwarding the wishes of the petitioners and exhoneratiug him from any blame in the delay that has occurred. It was also suggested at the meeting that expression be given to the decision of the committee through the paper, but Mr Rhodes seemed to think it was not necessary, and, considering that we were only in possession of the report through the courtesy of Mr Rhodes, and could not publish it without his permission, it was thought advisable to leave it over until the matter was settled some way or other, and then the whole of the correspondence could be laid before the public.—l am, etc., James Blyth, Chairman of Committee

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Do you think the ratepayers of this important County are treated in a proper manner by the gentlemen whom we elect to carry on our county business 'I I allude to the selling of timber at the lOpihi Bridge yesterday. Was it a private sale amongst a few friends, or, if by public auction, was it advertised in any of the New Zealand papers. I saw no announcement in the Temuka Leader, the paper which in all common sense and reason it ought to have been advertised in. The timber was laying at the threshold of the town of Temuka, and numbers of people were waiting for the advertised time of the sale of same, when to their disgust and annoyance it turns out that it was sold by auction on the 15th iust.. and but a few people of this district knew anything of it. Is there hole-and-corner work going on 1 Have our Couucil representatives advised in the matter to something of this sort : " Oh ! announce it in the Herald, that will be sufficient." Sir, I am a lover of everything being fair and straight, and I do not think the disposing of waste timber at the Opihi bridge was to the ratepayers' advantage; certainly it was not made public enough. You may know something about it, Sir. Kindly enlighten.—] am, etc. Wamek G. Rutland, Andrewville. November 16,1893. [We made an application for th« advertisement, but did not get it. No doubt it was not inserted in order to save expense. We, at any rate, could nol help it.—Ed.]