ELLESMERE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 8902, 19 September 1889, Page 3

ELLESMERE.

[from our own correspondent.] BUSINESS CHANGES. During the past fortnightse veral changes in commercial business have taken place in Leeston. Mr Alexander Lean, the jovial auctioneer, who for the past nine months has been carrying on Messrs Bennetts Bros business, has received an appointment in the North Island with Messrs Murray, Roberts and Co., as auctioneer, &o. Mr A. W. Bennetts thou decided to relinquish business in Leeston. His commodious premises being to let, have been taken by Mr P. Jameson, who for some months past has been looking out forfurther storage accommodation. This new venture will give the local auctioneer, the necessary room required, besides enabling him to extend his business in various lines, which will no doubt be as beneficial to his clients as to himself.

Mr E. G. Staveley, who for the past seven years has acted as auctioneer for the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company throughout the district, also paid us his last visit on Sept. 13, Leeston sale day. On that occasion he took the opportunity to introduce to the farmers assembled Mr F. N, Robinson, who is to he Mr Staveley’s successor. At the conclusion of the sale, a number of friends and clients met together in the Leeston Hotel to bid farewell to their much-respected friend. Mr C. Frankish proposed Mr Staveley’s health, which was enthusiastically drunk. Mr Staveley responded in a few appropriate remarks. Other toasts having been honoured, the company then dispersed. FOOTBALL. On Saturday last a team from the Leeston Football Club journeyed to Lincoln College to try conclusions with that Club, and after a fast and exciting game scored a vistory with twelve points to nil. The game, although very much iu favour of the visitors, was not so onesided as the score may make it appear on paper, the Lincoln boys being, on more than one occasion, within an ace of scoring. The College seemed to suffer a great deal from want of practice and combination, which can bo easily accounted for by the few students at present at Lincoln. The Leeston team, on the other hand, flushed with the success of victory, played better together than usual, their passing being also exceptionally good, OBITUARY. One of the old identities of Soufchbridge passed quietly away on Thursday evening —John M'CTury, who has been in the neighbourhood of Southbridge for the past eighteen years. Ho was over seventy when he died. His death was most unexpected, as he was working up to within a few hours thereof. His funeral, which took place on Saturday, was attended by a large concourse of people. CRICKET. The cricket season which is now fast approaching it is to be hoped will bring forth belter results in this district than the past few seasons have done. The annual meeting of the Leeston Club was not very largely attended, but those present were very enthusiastic, and expressed a belief that a good season was before them. A district Cricket Association has been already mooted, and two Clubs have expressed their willingness to join. If such an Association could be formed Ellesmere cricket may yet be heard of to some advantage during the future seasons. DOG POISONING. Some unscrupulous individual has taken into hia head a mania for poisoning dogs. Three valuable dogs have already "succumbed to its eff-cbd during the past fortnight. Every effort has been made to catch and bring the perpetrator to book for hi a dastardly act, but unfortunately, although large rewards have been offered, he has as yet been able to escape from those deserts which he justly deserves.