LOCAL & GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2750, 13 December 1894, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL.

County Council Election.— The poll for the election of members for the Raukapuka and Temuka Ridings of the Geraldine County Council will take place to-day. Bankrupts, —At the North Palmerston District Court Judge Kettle made severe strictures on some bankrupts who bad not kept proper books, and suspended the certificate of one, a contractor, for two years. Matriculation Examinations. For the matriculation examinations 128 candidates have entered in Dunedin, including 13 for the university junior scholarships, and 20 for the medical preliminary pass. Fifty-one are females. Death op a Magistrate.— Major Tuke. S.M., djed at Opunake on Tuesday morning after a brief jllness; aged 63. It is not intended to fill tbo vacancy caused by the death of Major Tuke, but fcfie districts along the west coast of the North Island will be rearranged. Wreckage. —A quantity of wreckage, consisting of American pine boards, the topmast of a large ship, top-gallant yard, piece of spanker boom, and part of a capstan, have been, washed ashore at '■wvation In let. It is feared a ship has Prtc. -'♦•h all hands, been lost w*. '’•‘thedral. The Christchurch v,.. recent cathedral spire was injured ny . -<• eaithquake. The damage, which is no„ serious and can easily be remedied, consists of a crack in the part thrown down by the heavy earthquake a few years ago, and since restored in fire-brick. Temuka Rifles. —Members are reminded that a Government parade will take place on Wednesday next, when the annual inspection of arms by the officer commanding the district will take place. Any volunteer unable to attend the parade should note that he must send in his arms and accoutrements for inspection. Personal. —At Christchurch the Rev. Mr Chodowski, who has been in charge of the Jewish congregation for the la<--t six years, is leaving shortly for England. Owing to deaths and removals the Hebrew congregation has diminished to such an extent that it is difficult to provide a minister’s stipend, and he has been granted leave of absence on full pay for the remainder of his term. Tkmuka Public School. —The annual distribution of prizes in connection with the Temuka District Hicrh School will bo made to-morrow. The ceremony will commence at 11 a.m., and the committee hope that there will be a representative attendance of the parents and f lends of the scholars. Mr F. R. Flatman, M.H.R , will distribute the prizes, and other gentlemen are expected to take part in the proceedings. Political Address.— At Dunedin Mr Win. Hutchison, one of the members for the city, addresed his constituents and received & vote of thanks and confidence. Though there were some matters which he had disapproved of and voted on them against the Government, he was a loj'al Government supporter, and he considered that the present was the boat Government the people of the colony had yet had. Motions of no-confidence in Mr Hutchison and the Government were not seconded.

Eabthquakk.—A slight but prolonged earthquake shock was experienced at Christchurch at 1.58 on Tuesday afternoon. Sale op Pbivilbgbs.—The privileges in connection with the forthcoming Caledonian Sports and the Trotting Races were sold yesterday. Messrs H, B. Webster & Co. sold the Caledonian privileges as follows: Licensed booth, Mr M. Scannell £2l ; luncheon booth, Mr L. Tombs £8; light refreshment booth, Messrs Kirby & Anderson, £lO 10s; fruit stall, Mr J. A. MoCaskill £1 10s; cards, Mr F. Collier £2 17s 6d. Mr D. McLean, for Messrs Guinness & LeCren, sold the Trotting Club privileges as follows: —Licensed booth,Mr Scannell £l4; luncheon booth, Mr J. A. McCaskill £4; gates, Mr A. S. Jenkins £25; cards, Mr Armstrong £2; horse yards, 10s. A Pbculiab Ocguebenob.—The shearers at a station in the northern district had an alarming and most painful experience on Friday night. Soon after tea the whole of the hands, numbering about forty, were seized with violent internal pain, accompanied by vomiting, leading to the supposition that something of a poisonous nature had been contained in the food served for the meal. The station-owner took prompt measures for the relief of the sufferers, and had the satisfaction of seeing most of the' men almost recovered by morning. All were more or less prostrated, however, and little, if any, work could be done on Saturday. . No explanation can be given as to the cause of the trouble.— Lyttelton Times.

The Bank of New Zealand. The Wellington correspondent of the Otago Daily Times says;—Politics are quiet beyond general talk as to the big loan for which the Premier and Colonial Treasurer are paving the way, bat there is also talk as to the ability of the Bank of New Zealand to enforce its call, there being a wide impression abroad that it can only be done under the charter when the bank has been placed in liquidation, and that the legislation of last year does not hold as to contracts contained in the charter. Some of the shareholders show a disposition to resist, and the following advertisement appeared in Tuesday evening’s paper:—“To shareholders of the Bank of New Zealand— Ladies and Gentlemen, —I hope you will club together and resist the call made upon you of £3 6s Bd. It is better to die a natural death than this slow and cruel process of strangulation. Be true to yourselves, and avoid this pressure.—l am, ko., Shareholdee.” An Appreciated Implement. There are few implements so useful as a moulding plough, so Mr A bought one. His neighbor B borrowed it, and C, seeing how good a job it made, took the loan of it. D appreciated the work done, too, and borrowed from C. Mr A saw it in D’s paddock, and, thinking it looked like his, enquired from D where he got it. “ What’s that to do with you 1 ” said D, “Is it yours 1 ” “ Yes, it is,” said A. “ Well, if I had known that, I would have chucked it into the creek, and if you sauce me I’ll put you there too.” “ We’ll talk about that when the time comes,” said A, “ but I advise you to return that plough to x where you got it, or else perhaps some one will be along shortly and make it warm for you.” D concluded to take the bint, and returned the implement to G’s paddock. A, wanting the implement, went to B, who forgot who had taken it, and A’s potatoes are not moulded np yet. When he gets it back he expects to give a blacksmith a job. Java.—A telegram from the Standard’s correspondent at The Hague, printed on October 23, makes it clear that Java has again suffered from one of those volcanic outbursts so disastrous to the Malay Archipelago, News from Batavia, the principal town in the island, mentions that Gaioong-gung, in the Preanger territory, is in violent eruption. Showers of ashes have caused darkness over the greater part of the district. In nearly all previous eruptions of Singapore (the Standard reminds us) immense damage has been caused. Thus, in the great outburst of 1622, no fewer than 114 villages were laid waste and 4000 people killed, mainly through being suffocated by the dense and continuous fall of ashes, though the easily ignited houses were accountable for much of the ruin wrought. Java is, indeed, the centre of nearly all the great volcanoes of the East Indian Archipelago, a fact to which it doubtless owes its rich volcanic soil.

The Weather and Work.— The following will be read with interest, and may (says an Exchange) partly explain the recent Wairarapa disaster; —“The psychology of the weather is suggested by Dr T. D. (brothers as a promising subject for study. He says, in Science : ‘ Very few persons recognise the sources of error that come directly from atmospheric conditions on experimenters and observers and others. In my own case I have been amazed at the faulty deductions and misconceptions which were made in damp, foggy weather, or on days in which the air was charged with electricity and thunderstorms were impending. What seemed clear to me at these times appeared later to be filled with error. An actuary in a large insurance company is obliged to stop work at such times, finding that he makes so many mistakes which he is only conscious of later that his work is useless. In a large factory from 10 to 20 per cent, less work is brought out on damp days and days of threatening storm. The superintendent, in receiving orders to be delivered at a certain time takes this factor into calculation.’ ”

A Tug of War.—A couple of young bolls beiugshipped north by the steamer Flora last Tuesday night created a little diversion at Port. The animals were detrained at the cattle pens near the gas works, and very soon showed their mettle by compelling all and sundry to give them a wide berth. Lyttelton tars and stevedores are up to almost everything in the way of handling cargo, and have no objection to frozen mutton and chilled beef, but when it came to handling in the open a wicked looking bull that showed himself very much alive they were somewhat at a loss how to proceed. However Jack’s never failing resource, a rope, was brought, and after sundry gymnastic feats on the part of both bull and sailors the animal was fairly ' About a dozen tars got hold of uu*. •w Q ropes and a veritable tug of the ends Oj. «, —amusement of a war began, to the g*.~- aa i m al large crowd of onlookers, could certainly pay out or take in slrck vastly quicker than the men, _aud he had the further advantage that while they were trying to give him a wide berth the closer he got to them the better he liked it. _ For over an hour the fun was fast and furious, but the bull was finally induced to walk down the wharf and on board the steamer. The New Maori Kino.— The Premier received a telegram from Tawhiao’s successor, the new Maori king Mahutu, asking for an interview. The Premier replied that he would) be in Hamilton on Monday, and Mahutu could see him there if fie liked. On Monday night King Mahuta wired to the Premier that he was too illto reach Hamilton to meet the train. He arrived on Tuesday morning with Te Kaki, his secretary. He saw the Premier and had a long interview. He stated that he came to show he was a man of his word, and to personally assure the Premier of his friendship towards the Government He discussed with the Premier the Native Lands legislation of last session, flttd .also brought several matters under the Premier’s notice. The fact of his consulting the Premier on suoh matters showed a friendly feeling. The Premier asked the King whether a statement made in the papers was true that he intended issuing Grown grants. The King said the fact of his consulting the Premier re their lands showed the statement was devoid of foundation. The King stated that there wouldagreat meetingof Natives early in the New Year, and ho invited the Premier to attend, to meet the Waikato chiefs, aud thus definitely settle land questions. The Maori King and his Secretary travelled to Huntley in a special carriage with the Premier,

Alleged Sheep Stealing.—Yesterday at the courthouse, Temnka, Adam Jackson, Esq., J.P., formally remanded J. Robertson, charged on remand with sheep stealing, until Thursday. December 20th. The same bail was allowed. Mbbbv-go-Round.—The merry-go-round is still being splendidly patronised in Temnka. Crowds of young and old assemble on the scene every evening,‘and it is kept going until about II p.m. It will remain until Saturday evening, then go to Ashburton, return to Geraldine, and be back in Temuka for the Caledonian Sports. at Hbb Old Tricks.—The Oamaru Mail says:—“ An elderly lady, who is at present incarcerated in the local gaol on a charge of vagrancy, and who is identified as a notorious professional thief from the other side, got off one of her little games at Palmerston, where she lodged a cheque for £l3O with the acting manager, against which, we. understand, she managed to secure an advance. She quite won her way to the heart of that official by her comments on the beautiful climate of the country, and the pleasure which she and her daughter derived from inhaling the pure air of New Zealand, and other like feminine ments.’Fire.— A fire occurred at half-past three o’clock on Monday morning on the premises in Queen Street, Auckland, occupied by the local agents of Messrs Wrigglesworth and Binns, photographers. The building, which was of brick, and two-storey high, was gutted. The origin of the fire is unknown. The photographic stock is insured for £3OO in the Norwich Union. "The building is owned by Mr W. Eastdoor, and is insured for £IOOO in the Commercial Union. The premises of Miss Anne West, milliner, adjoining were damaged. They are insured for £IOOO in the Royal Office. Mr Eden George is in Sydney. The total damage is estimated at £IOOO. Temuka Pabish Bazaar.—On Friday afternoon, at half-past two, Mr A. E. G. Rhodes will preside at the opening ceremony in the Drill Shed. Temuka, when a most choice and varied collection of useful and fancy articles will be offered for sale by the ladies of the parish. There will be stalls well stocked with choice delicacies in the way of refreshments, and also for the sale of garden produce. Two shooting galleries should draw all our local marksmen, a Christmas tree and bran pie for the youngsters, and our old friend, Aunt Sally, will also be to the fore. As the proceeds are to be devoted to the funds of the Church of England a large attendance of the public is expected on Friday and Saturday. Business Changes.—ln our advertising columns the dissolution of the partnership of' Messrs Wotton & Brewer,' as coach builders and painters, is announced. Mr Brewer will receive and pay all accounts, and will in future carry on the coach painting business on bis own account. He has established for himself a capital reputation in this department and is certain of a large share of public support.—Mr James Grant, who has for some time contemplated carrying on the business of a wheelwright and coach builder, has secured Mr Wotton’a services for that branch of the business, and confidently anticipates that Mr Wotton’s superior workmanship will secure success for his venture. We wish both parties success. Now you’ve a snug little home of your own, select one of Begg k 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 k Co.’s Exhibition model pianos. SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS. Fire Insurance—Temuka agent wanted. N. K. Cox, Dentist—Visits Temuka next Tuesday. Reward For lost pocket book and contents. Temuka Lbadbb Office—Reward for lost cloak. i Geraldine Road Board—Notice re the purchase of eggs. Pleasant Valley School—Tenders wanted for cleaning same. J. W. Miles New blouses, millinery, jackets, costumes. J. Langridge—Funeral notice re late infant son of Mr Horsman. -James Grant—Has secured the services of Mr R. H. Wotton, coachbuUder. Church of England, Temuka—Bazaarjand sale of work to-morrow and Saturday. Wotton k Brewer Have dissolved partnership; accounts will be paid and money due received by Mr R. H. Brewer; coachpainting business will be carried on by Mr Brewer. ,