LOCAL & GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2891, 7 November 1895, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL.

The New Vessel. —Captain Fairchild goes Homo in a couple of months, to superintend the construction of the new steamer for the NeW ; Zealand Government. Mosgiel Woollen Factory. The Mosgiel Woollen Factory paid a dividend of 7 per cent, during the year and carried £1331 16s lid forward to next year’s account. Compensation Wanted. —The Dunedin Star says that Chamberlain, one the Wairarapa passengers, is claiming £2OOO from the Union Company. The Harper (Case. —At the Supreme Court, Christchurch, on Monday morning, Mr Justice Dennistoun made an order that the cases against Leonard Harper be tried by a special jury. The trial is fixed to take place on the 2nd December. Concert at Temuka. —We would again remind our readers in the Temuka district of the concert in the Temuka Volunteer Hall this evening,, in aid of the Mechanics’ Institute. A good programme, low prices of admission, and a deserving object ought to secure a large audience.

Sunday Funerals.— The Advocate and the New Zealand Church News have articles agreeing with Bishop Grimes in condemning Sunday funerals. The Church News dealing with the subject, says—- “ Sunday funerals not only put an extra burden on hardly-worked clergy, but they rob undertakers, grave-diggers, servants, and many others, of their day of rest. Consideration for other people is a first principle of Christianity, and its neglect in the case of ordinary Sunday funerals can be no honouring of the dead.” A Native Flycatcher.— A new and beautiful Alpine plant obtained from Mount Cook, may now be seen in full bloom at the Opawa Fish-breeding Establishment. On the flower stalk a gummy substance exudes, which is a veritable trap for all sorts of small insects, and thus affords dainty morsels to the active little rainbow trout in the vicinity. The name of this bright pink free-flowering plant has not yet been ascertained, so that visitors who can furnish its correct botanical name will be accorded free admission. Lyttelton Times.

A Lucky Cast. —The many friends of Mr W. H. Spackman, who has been for a long time invalided, will be pleased to hear that he is the lucky holder of Auraria, winner of the Melbourne Cup, in “ Tattersail’s ” big sweep, the first prize in which will be about £13,500. Mr Spack ..an despatched a cablegram on Monday morning to the promoter of the sweep to lay off £3OOO against the filiy, and on Tuesday evening received a reply to the effect that no backers could be found. Mr Spackman, therefore, saved his £3OOO, and will receive the full amount of the first prize in the sweep.—Press. Gold. —Two rich finds arc reported from the Puriri district, about leu miles from Thames. One is in the Frenchman mine of 200 acres, behind Ehrenfrieu’s farm. The ground is held by a strong sysilicate, who have purchased the adjoining battery and water right. The other discovery was made by a prospector named John Hastings, in the Captain Cook and Success special claims, near the middle boundary of the two mines. A bag of stone, which was brought into Auckland on Tuesday, attracted considerable attention, coarse gold beinsr plainly visible all through it. Two reefs have been unearthed, and are from Ift to 14ft in thickness.

Cabinet Changes. The Wellington Times semi-officially states that the Hon. W. Montgomery has intimated that the pressure of private business will prevent him from attending Cabinet meetings during the recess, and that the Hon. W. 0. Walker will probably take his place. The Times also states that if the Hon. P. Buckley retires, the Hon. T. Kelly will Join the Executive. It was generally understood, however, that Mr Guinness, who is about to take up his residence in Wellington, was most likely to become the Government’s representative in the Council. If Sir P. Buckley accepts the Judgeship it is said he will take the Christchurch circuit. Mormqnism. —The authorities of the Mormon Church in Utah have despatched on a visiting mission to the Mormon communities all over the world, Mr Andrew Jenson, who is charged with the special duty of collecting the historical records of the church from its earliest times. Mr Jenson arrived in New Zealand by the last trip pf the Mondwai, and will remain in the colony for about (iwo months. There are twelve Mormon districts in New Zealand, and there is an active mission among the Maoris. Utah is about to become a State of the Union. It has 250,000 people, about two-thirds of whom are Mormons. Salt' Lake City contains (>O.OOO people.—Lyttelton Times.

A Palmerston North Inventor— Mr Fake, Palmerston North, claims to have invented a scheme under whjch it is im•ble for any number of torpedoes to sinks " -nuch greater speed withwill also allow . —> newer; also our out any inefeam of stean-. . ’ L <‘r armour ironclads may be built with l,. and be perfectly Safe frdtn destruction torpedoes. The principal part of my scheme is that an ironclad may be struck with 30 torpedoes and not destroyed, nor put out of action. Phis Scheme I have forwarded to the Admiralty, as being of the greatest importance to our nation at the present moment.” Opinions of New Zealand. The Indian and Eastern Engineer, commenting on the Hon. J. G Ward’s paper on ” New Zealand in 1895,” says :—He has fully convinced us that if there is a paradise on earth it is there. And there we mean to go When our ship comes home, and our soul can cease from worrying and our spirit be at rest. Tho Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Salisbury went one better. Said he—” It is. I think, a noble country ; it is certainly a most beautiful country, a most healthy country, a most civilised country ; u country where you will meet with courtesy, refinement, gentleness, kindlinens, aud & standard of morality whfcvcver you may go.” Major-General E. C. Sim, calls it “The Japan of tho South.” and, indeed, everyone who baa been there agrees that it is more like dear old England than any other countrv with the further advantage, as George (? Henry) Russell used to sing of the West—that there a man is a man if he is willing to toil, and the humblest may gather tho fruit of the soil.

Geraldine Town Board.—The balancesheet of the town board is now open for inspection at the board’s office, Geraldine. Excursion Train. —A special train carrying passengers at popular fares will run to Christchurch and back to-morrow. This will enable people to visit Christchurch with the loss of only one day. The Prince of Wales’ Birthday.— The Prince of Wales’ Birthday holiday will be observed at the Teiruka Post Office on Saturday. Particulars as to the holiday will be found under the heading of Mail Notices. Non-Resident Agent.—rhe Tax Department is about to bring into operation the provisions of the Act passed this session, providing for the licensing of non-resident agents travelling on behalf of firms outside the colony. The license fee is £SO, Small Birds.—The small boys’ harvest is about to commence. The Temuka Road Board at its last meeting decided to purchase the heads and eggs of small birds at the same price as paid last year. Particulars will be found in our advertising columns. Public Meeting at Geraldine.—A public meeting will be held in the town board office, Geraldine, on Wednesday, 13th November, to see if it will be necessary to continue the services of a nightman for a further period. The meeting will commence at 7.30 p.m. 1.0.G.T. —There was a very good attendance at the Goo i Hope Lodge, No. 42, Temuka. Bro, Freddy, 0.T., presided. After the minutes had been read and confirmed, Bro. Philp proceeded to install the officers for the ensuing quarter, as follows: Bro. F. Freddy, C.T.; Sister J. Lyon, V.T,; Bro. F. Radford. Secretary; Bro, Watson, F.S.; Sister Bowman, T. (all re-elected); Sister Griffiths, C.; Bro. Lloyd, M.; Bro. Cain, G.; Bro. Levens, S.; Bro. P. Grant, A.S.; Sister Cain, D.M.; Bro. Wakely, P.C.T. Final arrangements were made for the picnic, and from all appearances it promises to be a big success, visitors being expected from all parts of the district. Mechanics’ Instiutb.—The monthly meeting of the above institute was held on Tuesday evening, when Messrs Salmond, Blyth, Bourke, Harrison, Smith J. Brown, and Ferguson were present. Progress was reported in the matter of the concert to be held to-night. The best local talent possible has been obtained, and Miss McCullough and Mr Strachan, of Timaru, will be present. It was resolved to offer the Caledonian Society the use of the room and respectfully solicit a donation to the funds. The decease of the late Mr Beri was recorded on the minutes in recognition of that gentleman’s services to the institute. Sundry accounts were passed for payment, and the meeting closed in the usual manner. Struck by Lightning.—The local paper reports that during a recent severe thunderstorm at Takaka, Mr Baird’s dwelling was struck by lightning. It struck the side of the kitchen window, smashing it, and ripping the parting bead out and hurling it against the fence, part of it being picked up twenty feet from the building. The lightning then took a downward course, passing through two biscuit tins and then into a zinc-lined case on the floor. In the parlour a bunch of toi toi grass was set in a blaze, the glare from which aroused Mr Baird, who promptly put; the ignited grass up the chimney, thus saving the hoo-'e from taking fire. As it was, the ceiling paper was charred. The glass of a picture to which the grass was attached was strucic, and three distinct places were ftmd. Such an occurrence has never been known in Takaka before. Temuka Cricket Club.—A committee meeting of this club was held on Wednesday afternoon, thei captain being in the chair. Letters were read from Mr A. E. G. Rhodes, enclosing £2 2s donation ; from Messrs F. R. Flatman and A. M. Clark accepting office as vice-presidents and promising donations; and .from Mr J. Gillespie conveying his resignation as hon. secretary, owing to illness. It was decided that Mr Gillespie’s resignation bo accepted with regret, and that the thanks of the club be sent to him for the good work he has done in past seasons for the club. Mr Gapper, having consented to accept the office, was elected hon. secretary, and Mr Gillespie elected a member of the committee. An account for grass seed used in sowing down the new cricket pitch was passed for payment, which concluded the business of the evening. Presbyterian Synod.—At the Presbyterian Synod at Dunedin on Tuesday, the report on statistics, which was for nine months, states that the membership showed a nominal increase of 291. There are 77 charges, with a roll membership of 13,302. The total debt on churches, manses, and halls is £10,540, of which £6OOO is in Dunedin. The report on the Theological College stated that there were eight students during the year, one being for the Northern Church and one for the Baptists, At the evening sitting the question of union was partly discussed, and a motion and two amendments were proposed. The motion is to appoint a committee to act with a committee of the Northern Churoh to arrange a basis of union. One amendment recommends that the committee should be dismissed, as the Church ,- s not in a position for union. Another amendment is to re-appoint the committee without expressing an opinion on its report, and remit to the Presbyterians the basis of union arranged in Christchurch. Michael Davitt. The Invercargill correspondent of the Otago Daily Times wires:—“Mr Michael Davitt and Mark Twain arrived early by the Mararoa at the Bluff. On Tuesday Michael Davitt did not come on to Invercargill until the after noon, but was met on arrival at the Bluff by the Rev. Father Vereker and Mr Murray, representative of the Tablet newspaper. At Invercargill he was received by the mayor and presented with an address, to which he briefly replied. He lectures here to-morrow (Wednesday) evening in the Theatre on “The Trend of the Labour Movement in Britain.” His New Zealand programme is not yet very defined. He expects to give about 13 addresses in different centres before leaving for San Francisco by the Alameda on the 30fch. for which boat he has a return ticket. He expresses a special desire to spend as much of the short time at his disposal in the Hawke’s Bay district.” Late yesterday afternoon Mr Quinn received a telegram from Mr Murray, to the effect that time will not permit Mr Davitt to visit Temuka. This is not surprising, as, his stay being so short, he will hardly have time to visit the principal centres. This, therefore, settles the question, and the committee appointed lo st Friday to make arrangements for his . . -e in Temuka if a favourable appearau.. - hand will not again meet, answer came to _ b

Kakahu Bush.— & enjoyable and successful complimentary social,- arranged by the residents of Kakahu Bush to vftucome the home-coming of Messrs William and Charles Graham from their trip to the Coolcardie goldfields, took place in the schoolroom, Kakahu Bush, on Friday evening, October 2isth. The schoolroom was very tastefully decorated with flowers and ferns by the young ladies of the district. Dancing commenced shortly after 8 p.m , and was interspersed with numerous songs and readings, given by Mesdames Newnham and Charters, Misses Russl'll. Johnson, and Boaler, and Messrs. Burn, Stevenson, and Ley. After a most enjoyable and entertaining evening. Mr Wreathall, in a few brief remarks, spoke of the plcasim it gave the residents to welcome their guests back again in good health to the district A cordial vote of thanks to all the lady residents for having so abundantly provided the refreshments, to Mrs Newnham for fcbo kindly use of her piano, and to Messrs C. W, Ley for their cfilc'cnt services as munciau and M.C., was most heartily accorded, and one more agreeable and sociable entertainment for which the Bush is famous was brought to a close by tho singing of “ Auld Lang Syno.”

Geraldine Terminating Building Society. —A meeting of shareholders of the Geraldine Terminating Building Society will be held on Tuesday, November 12th, to elect directors and adopt rules. Public Trustee. -—The Cabinet has decided to appoint Mr A. A. Duncan, who is at present chief clerk, public trustee. The position carries with it a seat on the newly constituted General Board of the Advances to Settlers Office. The Cheap Piano, has it come to stay 1 Fortunately No. It is not constructed to last, and will soon develop the “ Tin-pan ” tone quality, and then, as a musical instrument, collapse. But as long as it holds together it is a make-shift for somebody. But the purchaser will be wiser next time, and pay a higher price for a really superior and reliable *’ Collard & Collard ” or Brinsmead from Bbgq & Co., Timaru. —[Advt.]

SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS. Mrs Cutten—Wants a housemaid. C.F.C. Association —Sale at Tattersall’s on Saturday. J. H. Walker —Is agent for Adams’ “ Star ” cycles. W, Stokes—lmportant notice re stray red-and-white yearling steer. Temuka Road Board—Particulars of purchase of heads and eggs of small birds. Waddell & Crerar —“ A few facts worth considering ” regarding made to order and ready made clothing, etc.