Local and General.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XX, Issue 4479, 27 April 1898, Page 2

Local and General.

The Murderer Enoica.— The ExecubiV has decided that Enoka, the Taranaki Maor who was convicted of wife murder, must be hanged. Belated. — A special train passed through A»hburton to-day, containing k the Minister of Lando, the steamer having arrived too late for the express. T/3B Aobangi. — Tho Aorangi, which arrived at Wellington to-day, from Sydney, tit rank to Vancouver, hag several pasßODgers on board for Klondyke. Thd Port Darwin Cabt^h.— lntimation has been received by the Government from the South Australian Government that steps are being taken to improve the communication with Port Darwin. Tub Railway Department. — Draw gear is being landed at Wellington which will enable the Kail way Department to place forty or fifty new trucks on the Wellington-Napier-New Plymouth section of railways m a week oz jtwo. RAitf that pqes no? WjET/^There is at least one place m the United Statep where a man may be out m a heavy rain and ijo,t get wet, even though he has neither maokintosh nor umbrella. In the Colorado desert they baye rain storms during which not a single drop ,of jyater touches the earth. The rain can be seeip falling from the clouds high above the desert, bn.t when the water reaches the strata of jiot, dry air benpath the clouds, iib is entirely absorbed before falling half the distance to the ground. It is a singular sight to witpeßS a heavy' downpour of rain, nob a drop of whigh touohos the ground. These strange rain storms occur m regions where the shade temperature often ranges as high as one hundred and twentyeighb degreoß Fahrenheit.

The Irrepressibles.— lf untiring effort, organisation, and enthusiasm could command success, the prohibition party of this colony might be even more cocksure of early victory than their most sanguine disoiple could hope for. From English papers we learn that, though addressing enormous audiences id different parts of the [Jnited Kingdom, the Rev Leonard Isitfc ie, n^etaphoriually, counting the hours when he will return to New Zealand for the purpose of commencing • another crusade m the interests of his pet theories ; and though it may be a long time before the battle will again wage around the ballot-box, the fact that Mr Vale of Victoria, has been engaged by the New Zealand Alliance for a three months' tour of the colony, is significant of the fixed determination of the temperance party to be irrepreasibip if not invinoible.

Irrigation for Rakaia and Villagk Settlement —Advantage was taken at the meetiDg of Rakaia householders to bring up the question of a water supply for the township and village settlement. It was re-

ported that a petition had been signed and sent on to the Council, asking that both the settlement and township should be included m the proposed scheme, but it appearß to have been lost Bight of. After some discussion, on the motion of Mr Hardy, seconded by Mr Shannon, ib was decided " That it w»b advisable to apply to the Council for an irrigation scheme for the township and settlement." It was resolved that a. further petition should be Bent m and that a deputation should wait on the Council %t its next meeting. The following were appointed a Committee to interview the Councillors when visiting Rakaia on Wednesday, and bring the matter before them— Me&ara Hardy, Ox'.ey, Haslett, Taylor, and Ji Stephenßon. A vote of thanks to the chair closed the proceedings.

Lawn Iknnis.— A very interesting tennis match took place on Mr C. A. C. Hardy's court, Rakaia, on Saturday last, when a team from the Ashburton Lawn Tennis Club tried conclusions with the local players. The matoh resulted m a win for Ashburton by 16 games, the scores being Ashburton 58, Rakaia 42. The visitors were entertained by Mr and Mrß Hardy, who did everything m their power to make the short stay ot their guests thoroughly enjoyable. The following is the result of the various games -.—Ladies Singles— Miss Hardy (R) 6, Miss Orr (A) 2; Mrs Zander (A) 6, Mies W. Hardy (X) 4. Men's Singles— Cox (A) 6, Pinckerly (R) 2 ; Upton (A) 6, Hardy (R) 2 ; Fooka (A) 6, Cordner (R) 1 ; Curtis (A) 6, Bulnois (R) 5. Ladies' Doubles— Misses Hardy (R) 6, Mra Zander and Miss Orr (A) 2. Men's Doubles— Cox and Curtis (A) 7, Hardy and Cordner (R) 5 ; Upton and Fooka (A) 6, Pinckerly and Bulaois (R) 0. Combined Doubles— Cox and Mrs Zander (A) 6, Pinokerly and Miss W. Hardy (R) 5; Hardy and Miss Hardy (R) 6, Upton and Misa Orr (A) 5. Grand total — Aehburton 58, Rakaia 42.

Farewell Social, — A most enjoyable Booial was given m the Wakanu school room on Friday evening last, valediotory to Mr and Mrs Pitt, of Seaview, m view of Mr Pitt's entrance on possession of the Smithfield gardens, m aucoegßion of Mr G. T. Smith, who has for co many years cultivated the woll-known beauty spot. Friends came to the social from far and near, and during the evening time went merrily with aong and story, both humorous and pathetic, the transition " from grave to gay, from lively to severe," being such as to Mb the varied tastes perfectly of the numerous assemblage. Nor were the pleasures of the Terpsichore neglected. Instrumentalists were numerous. Miases Stewart and N. Cochrane, with Messrs Shearer and Dalton being the pianists, and Mesars J. Shearer, J. Stewart and W. Cole, the violinists, A piper appeared m the person of Mr J. Sheaser, whoße "pibroch's loud numbers" were.muoh appreciated, the notes of this instrument being unu-ual m the Wakanui district. There was the usual abundance of refreshments which characterises Wakanui social gatherings, and when full justice had been done to these, Mr Richard Dalton spoke m high terms of the many good qualities of the guests whom they had met that evening |to honor and say farewell to. Special reference waa made, to Mr Pitt's vocal talent, and his readiness to place it at the service of any good cause. Speaking for the people of the wide district the meeting represented, he could say that Mr and Mrs Pitt carried with them to the beautitul gardens they were about to enter upon, the best wishes for success |and happiness. Mr Pitt suitably acknowledged the kindly things said of him, and hoped he would have many visits from his Wakanui friends at "Smith's gardens." After " Auld Langsyne " and cheers for the guests, the very enjoyable meeting terminated, Welcome Rain ! — Prepare for winter storms ! Wo hare just opened a splendid ] lot of New Waterproof Tweed, Serge, and Melton Cfvercoate, Every coat guaranteed well made and thoroughly waterproof. Exchanged or money refunded, if defective after three months' trial. Largest stock m Ashburton to select from.-rCRAiaHKAD AND Bebryman, thn leading Tailors and Outfitters, Ashburton.