Peninsula News.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume XXII, Issue 1674, 29 July 1892, Page 2

Peninsula News.

Sparrow Poisoning.—All interested are reminded that the day selected for general sparrow poisoning is Monday next, August Ist. It is better for all to lay the prepared grain on one day, for the birds soon hght shy of it. Besides as we have before explained there is less risk to domestic poultry, and any other grain eating animal it the wheat is only laid at certain specified date in marked places, when the balance can be removed if necessary. It is said to be a good plan to strew good grain for the birds a day or two before the poisoning, as it tends to lull their suspicions. Supplements.—We regret to record the supplements are not yet to hand.

AKAROA and Wainui Road Boad.—This Board meet to-morrow, at usual place and hour*

Ear Marking Sheep.—Particulars of the suggested improved system for ear marking sheep, designed by Mr Reginald Foster, are to be seen at the Mail Office by any farmer interested.

Practical Sociology. —Mr C. J. Russell announces that he will deliver lectures on " The Power of Example," " Health, and how to possess it," and " Society, its objects and composition," in the Oddfellows' Hall, Akaroa, on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday next, commencing each evening at 7.30 p.m. A children's meeting will also be held on Sunday afternoon.

Football Club-—Members are requested to roll up on Saturday to practise tor the coming match. A meeting will be held in the evening. \ Extraction.—YesterdaV, Dr. Fisher extracted a piece of glass fin long, and iin broad, from the back of Mr J. Castle, Duvau* chelle's, which had been in for nine years and eight months. Billard Tournament.—Mr Morton in» forms us that entries for the Handicap Billiard Tournament are coming in well, and that any one intending to take part should notify his intention at once before the list closes. Borough Council.-At a special meeting of the Borough Council, held on Wednesday evening, present His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Chappell, Checkley, Vangioni, Munro, and Watkins, it was resolved to strike a general »ate of a penny in the pound for the current year.

At-Home Society.-The meeting of this Society last night was of a musical character. Miss Hahn played an overture, and Miss Hahn and Mr Holt, and Miss Dawber and Miss Dodds, duetts ; songs were sung by the Misses ,Perm, Vangioni, Hartley and Mr Lewis, and •readings given by Miss O'Reilly and Mr T. Finlay. There was also some impromptu speaking, and altogether a very pleasant evening was spent.

Murder in Southland.-Richard Bell, a farmer, was returning from a meeting of the Hokonui Farmers' Club on Monday night, at hall.past ten, and when in the act of stooping from his horse to open a gate he was de» liberatdy shot in the face by some person waiting near by. His cheek was fearfnlly shattered and his jaw carried away He managed to reach his home, and lived for three hours, but was unable to tell who was the murderer. A double-barrelled gun was found at the scene, the left barrel being discharged. The deceased was a quiet, inoffensive man, and leaves a young wife and several children. When his wife asked if anybody he thought of would do it. he made a sign in the negative. The shot was fired from behind a tussock. Mrs Bell heard the report, and feeling alarmed, v/ent out and along the track to the gate. She met her husband at a small plank bridge over a stream, which in hisdesperate condition he was unable to cross until she assisted him. Bell was 3b years of age, and leaves a widow and family of four or five; also his aged lather, who resided with him.

Late Cable News. — A Scotch dressmaker recovered £500 damages from two policemen in Glasgow for arresting her as an immoral character.—Fifty thousand pilgrims will visit Rome on the occasion of the Pope's jubilee.—Edison's electric works at Schenec. lady have been burned down, and are a total loss.—The Rev Mr Cotton has been sentenced to six months' imprisonment and mulcted in a fine of £400 for ill-treating children in the Carogh Orphanage, County Kildare.—lt is stated that the Unionists are arranging for an early discussion of Mr Gladstone's want oi confidence motion, which is expected to be moved on August 9th.—The people of Astrakhan are rebelling against the precautions insisted upon by the authorities against cholera, and are pillaging the public offices. The doctors are in hiding, and two chemists were killed by the senseless mob.—Mr Vanderbilt's yacht, while cruising in American waters, was run down by a steamer. The family who were on board and fifty guests, were rescued in a state of dishabille. —Mr Fick, the Manager of Carnegie's Mills, who was shot by a Russian Jew, is likely to recover from the wounds. On the attempted assassin being taken into custody two dynamite cartridges weie found in his mouth. It is believed he intended to commit suicide. The accused is thought to be a crazy anarchist. Repeated attempts have been made to poison the whole of the Fick family.—A soldier at Pittsburg was suspended by the thumbs for half an, hour and then expelled for cheering the man who shot Fick.—The Order of the Garter has been conferred on the Dukes of Devonshire and Abercorn. — The fanatical hatred of powerful chiefs towards the advent of Europeans and civilisation more than French influenc is believed to have induced the Sultan to reject the treaty arranged by the British representative.—The " World " says it is re« ported that the Duke of York has been be. trothed to the Princess Victoria, of Schleswig Holstein, the eldest daughter of Prince Fredrick. The Princess is at present on a visit to the Queen. — Twenty-five war ships representing the European Powers will assemble at Huela, near Seville, and join in the Columbus celebration on August 4th. —A female baby farmer in Ireland killed three children by holding them head downwards in boiling water, and then attempted to commit suicide.—The Channel Bridge Company has adopted a new scheme, the cost of which is estimated at .£32,000,000. The length will be shorter, and the risk to navigation less. By the new route seventy-two spans would be re«> quired, and the bridge will take seven years to build.—General Booth held a great meeting in Exter Hall to celebrate the twenty-seventh anniversary of the formation of the Salvation Army. In the course of his address he declared that England owed him Lso.ooo on account of his " Darkest England scheme," and he challenged enquiry into the administration of that scheme. His mission to India and the Australasian colonies had resulted in a clear profit of L2OOO, despite the allegations that he and his party had been extravagant during the tour.