LOCAL & GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2748, 8 December 1894, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL.

A Rich Chbistmas Cake.— Edie and Kirkpatrick, of Horseshoe Bend, Otago, washed up for Christmas between 300 and 400 ounces of gold. Geraldine Farmers’ Club. The monthly meeting of members of this club will be held on Monday evening nest. The Committee meet at 7.30. Geraldine Workers’ Union. A general meeting of members of this union takes place on Saturday evening, December 15th, when a full attendance of members is requested. Arrivals and Departures— The arrivals in the colony during November (exclusive of Dunedin returns, not yet to hand) were 2802, and the departures 1183. The net gain in November, 1893, was 1855. Corporal Punishment op Girls.— The North Canterbury Education Board rejected a motion that a circular should be sent to each school committee in the district asking its opinion as to whether girls of all ages should be corporally punished in the public schools. The Supposed Sheep Stealing Case. —Constable Willoughby and Detective Livingstone have been investigating the supposed case of sheep stealing near Geraldine, and we understand that they have been unable to find evidence to convict anyone of the crime. Lady Prison Visitors.— The following female official visitors to prisons have been gazetted Euphemia Nevison, Dunedin; Eveline Willett Guuuington, Lyttelton Katherine Hooper Tain, Wellington Annie Maria Dolby, Auckland; Eliza Collings, Auckland; Fanny Cooke, Nelson ; Ada E. Trask, Nelson. Geraldine Town Board,—By the omission of the word “ not ” in our report of the Geraldine Town Board meeting, Mr White was made to say the opposite of what he did say. It was in connection with the discussion on Mr Lawlor’s contract. The sentence should have read ■. — “ In reply to Mr Ward, Mr White did not remember saying that the job was no job at all.” ; Honesty. —On Thursday evening the young folks of Temuka had the opportunity of enjoying a ride on a steam merry-go-round established on Mr James Findlay’s section. A resident wishing to give his little ones a treat gave them a halfsovereign, with which the youngsters paid the fare and got twopence change. The following morning the gentleman mentioned to the proprietor that the little ones had not received their full change, when he at once stated that in the dusk be bad received the coin as a sixpence, and, realising that a mistake had been made, was about to advertise the fact. The halfsovereign was promptly returned. High School Scholarships.— At the last meeting of the Timaru High School Board of Governors Mr Barclay brought up reports by a committee on two subjects remitted to them. The first was a suggestion from the head master that two additional exhibitions, should be granted for one year on the same terms as the Cain exhibition. The committee recommended that the suggestion be adopted, and, after a good deal of discussion on the general question of scholarships, the recommendation was adopted. At a later stage of the meeting it was resolved, on Mr Talbot’s suggestion—“ That senior scholarships be granted as well as junior, in the proportion of one of the former to two of the latter.” The Masxbrton Reform Settlement. —The Minister for Lands explains in reference to the complaint of the Masterton Reform Association, as telegraphed, that the land was taken up under the Act of 1885. The regulation under that Act gave power to add on two years’ rent to the capital value. The association however, came under the Act of 1892, thus getting the rent reduced from 5 to 4 per cen., bnt losing the privilege of having two years’ rent capitalised. The first notice that the survey was completed was given on the 28th November, 1893, and that rent would commence on Ist January, 1894, being payable in advance. The amount was not stated then. On the 16th November, 1894, further notice was sent, asking for payment of the January and July rents, being advised of the improvements necessary. The notice was in the usual form. Bank op New Zealand.— The Bank of New Zealand has made a call of £3 6s Sd per share pn all ordinary shares, payable in three instalments in Wellington and London on February, August, and November 25th, 1895. The call, if paid in full, will produce £500.000. In a circular addressed to shareholders it is explained that the call is made in pursuance of clause 60 of the Bank of New Zealand Share Guarantee Act, 1894. It is considered necessary for the welfare of the bank to call in and cancel one-half of the Estates Company’s 5£ per cent, debentures, amounting at present to £1,500,000. The directors regret the necessity for this call, but believe it to be in the true interests of the shareholders, and conducive to the success of the bank. Mr G. G. Andrews, who has been for some years inspector of the Bank of New Zealand in Australia, arrived at Wellington on Wednesday to take up the position of inspector and acting general manager of the bank.

High School Reserves.— At the last meeting of the Timaru High School Board a report was received f A. Allan,steward of reserves, on applications for redaction of rents by tenants of three of the 100-acre lots in reserve 1400, Orari. Mr Allan recommended certain reductions in the rents. Mr Barclay, who had visited the land, supported the steward’s recommendations, and went even farther. The matter was discussed at some length. Mr Talbot spoke strongly against any hasty decision, and heartily condemned the tender system. It was possible, he suggested, that a lower tenderer might have been more successful. The fault of the tender system was that people competing under it oifer more than they should and keep better men out. It was an abominable system, ruining tenant 3 , ruining work-people, and he would like to see it destroyed in nearly every case. He very much regretted that a reduction rent should be uske 1 for under the ciroumsthneep, agd wquld prefer to see leases forfeited and the laud relefc. Mr Hole was of the same opinion. It would be unfair to the other tenderers to reduce the rents below what these offered. Mr Tabot suggested that the matter should be postponed. This was agreed to, and, on the motion of Messrs Hole and Gray, Messrs Howell, ty'hite, and Talbot were requested to visit the reserve apd feport pn thfl request for reductions of rent’ at the next (February) meeting of the bpard. Caution to Farmers. — Mr Bruce Gillies, of Waitohi Downs, has lately lost a valuable mare under circumstances that deserve notice. The mare in question, as well as another mure, both lately foaled, were afflicted with a dfsea.se at first thought to be “ staggers,” and as they appeared seriously ill, he communicated with Mr Levens, who immediately proceeded to the farm. On his arrival one mare was found dead, and the other very sick. A gelding in the same paddock was also suffering in a similar way. Mf fcpveus advised s> ftß . and the ware and gelding are S doin- well. the animals were suffering .. a a of ergot poisoning, and examination ne grass fn the paddock showed that it was covered with a species of fungoid growth, and under the microscope it appeared us if the whole plant had received a coat of of varnish, some of which had gathered into kidney-shaped globules or spores. As it is probable that this growth is not confine ! to this locality, Mr Levens intends to send some 'of the £TW,3 to Professor Bickerton for examination. A.s showing the instinct of the animals, it may be mentioned that, although apparently in excellent feed, they had been feeding in the ditches, and oven reaching over the fences, to avoid eating \yh%t they must have found either distasteful or realised as injurious. A similar case occurred last year in the Milford district.

Chuobh op England, Temuka.—The services for to-morrow will be found in onr advertising columns. Timabu Wool Sale.— The first Timaru wool sale of the season takes place on Tuesday. Temuka Stock S alb.— The Temnka stock sale will take place on Wednesday next, on account of the Timaru wool sales taking place on Tuesday. Wesleyan Chubch, Temuka. —The Eev. C. Abernetby, of Willoughby, will preach at the Wesleyan Church, Temuka, and at Waitohi, to-morrow. Bicycle Road Race.—There were 9 starters for the Central Cycling Club’s road race at Geraldine last evening, and the winner turned up in J. Gillespie, of Temuka, (with Ifmin); R. Rae (limin), second; Richards (scr), third. Pbbsonal. —The many friends of the Rev. Father Fauvel will be glad to learn that he returned home on last Thursday by express from the south. The rev. gentleman enjoyed his trip thoroughly,- and has now completely recovered his health. He is in splendid spirits, and he says the music of the bells of his own church as they rang out a welcome to him was the sweetest he had heard in all his wanderings. t Gkbaldine County Council.— Yesterday Messrs W. G. AspinaU, J. Murray, and M. , Scannell were nominated for the representation of the Temuka Riding of the Geraldine Gonnty, and Messrs A. Kalman and M. C. Orbell for the Geraldine riding. As there is only one vacancy in each riding, a poll will be taken on Thursday next. Mr G. J. Dennistoun was the only candidate nominated for the Monnt Peel Riding, and was therefore elected. Particulars as to polling places, etc., will be found in our advertising columns. Chbisimas. —Preparations for Christmas have already commenced. Mr J. A. McCaskill has already made a display, and his shop is fnll of the most miscellaneous collection of toys that conld be imagined. There are,* three-penny tables, six-penny , tables, shilling tables, and so on, and all of . them are crowded with every conceivable ’ kind of toy. His stock of Christmas cards, however, is the most interesting part of his show.' One of his windows is full of them, and we may say without hesitation that a finer collection we have never seen. The Christmas cards are really worth examining, i as they are extremely beautiful, and , wonderfully cheap. Mbbby-Go-Round. —There is a great excitement amongst the juveniles of Te- . mnka consequent on the presence in town ; of a steam merry-go-round, the same that was at the Timaru show. It is planted on ’ Mr Findlay’s section, near the railway gate, and the place is.crowded every evening with both young and old. The machine is a very peculiar arrangement, consisting of an old-fashioned traction engine, to which a merry-go-round has been attached, and also an organ, which supplies the music, the whole making up a combination in which great interest is centred. The place has been exceedingly well patronised, and Mr Roberts, the owner, appears to be doing well. He will be in Temnka a few nights longer. Cbickbt.—A cup match between Geraldine v Timaru B Fifteen was played at Temnka on Thursday afternoon, and resulted in a win for Geraldine by 12 runs after a close and exciting game. Geraldine were the first to bat, and pnt up a score of 99 runs. Fish Beckett, and Pearpoint batted well for their tuns. Allan and O’Callaghan bowled well for Timaru. Timaru made 87 runs. C. Perry and Bonrn both played well for their runs. The last five wickets went down very rapidly. Nalder and Pearpoint bowled well for Geraldine. The scores will appear in onr next issue, A match between Temuka and Ashburton will be played at Ashburton to-day. The following are the teams. Temnka: Dann (captain), Low, Brown, Anderson, Yelvin, Hay burst, Hayes, Hawkes, Hoi well, Gillespie, Ferguson. Ashburton: Russell, Bourke, Cromie, Denshire, Orbell, Davis, Buchanan, Todd, Andrews, Simpson, and Thomson. Now you’ve a snug little home of your own, select one of Begg & Co.’s Exhibition model pianos. It will only cost you about ninepence a day and be the best investment you ever made. If you DON’T want to enjoy life DON’T get one of Begg & Co.’s Exhibition model pianos. SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS. John Hay—Lost a tweed overcoat. Church of England—Services to-morrow. Wesleyan Church, Temuka—Services for to-morrow. Geraldine Workers’ Union—General meeting on December 15. Geraldine Farmers’ Club Ordinary monthly meeting on Monday, December 15th. Temuka Sale—On Wednesday next. C. Association Entries Temuka stock sale. D. Taylor—Four-roomed house for sale for removal. Comer & Larcombe—Funeral notice re late Thos. Rainey. Steam Merry-Go-Round—Now at Temuka on Mr Findlay’s section. John Sim—Continuation sale watches and jewellery; bargains. Guinness & LeCren—Temuka stock sale; Temuka Trotting Club’s privileges. J. W. Miles—Special display case imported millinery; ladies’ costumes. H. B, Webster & Co.—Entries Temuka stock sale; Temuka Caledonian Society’s privileges. Geraldine County Council—Notice re candidates nominated for seats on Council; poll on Thursday next.