LOCAL & GENERAL.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XVIII, Issue 1039, 31 October 1889, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL.

Me A. M'Neel, of Oamaru, has been ap pointed agent at Nenthorn of the Colonia" Bank. The New Zealand Government haveagreed to join the intercolonial penny postal card system commencing on Ist November. The return shooting match between sides ■ chosen by Lieuts. Hosie and Clements was fired last Saturday, resulting in another victory for the former by four points, tbo totals being 155 and 151 respectively. New Zealand has not got qnite a monopoly of the rabbit pesfc. A Victorian rabbit inspector reports that in a 1000-acre j addock in his district, 14,000 rabbits have lately, been despatched, and yet the animals appear to be as plentiful as ever. We omitted to mention in our last issue' that the Prospectors Football Club wound up the season with a social, which was held in the Masonic Hall on Thursday, 17th October. Theri were over 20 couples present, and a pleasant evening was spent. The music was supplied by the band, and Mr. Hall acted as M.C. The Naseby Rifles have been kept pretty busy since Sergt-Major Macphersoh s arrival. On Saturday a creditable number of recruits mustered for instruction, which was imparted in that capable and courteous manner which has made the Sergeant-Major so universally popular among volunteers. Ou Sunday about 35 members took part in a church parade under the command of Lieut. Hosie, the baud also l>eing in attendance. The Presbyterian Church was crowded on the occasion. The-eo:nj» ;iy on Monday received an hour'sinstructios! in skirmishing,perform-, ingtho vnrious movements creditably. There was no drill on Tuesday ou account of the hall being engaged, and the following evening was set down for instruction in sword exercise to officers and non-commissioned officers. This evening (Thursday) there is to be a grand sham tight, when over 1000 rounds of ammunition will be fired. Every member must bo present ou the occasion, as it will count as a Government-inspection. Class-Siring has also been proceeded with MtiafectoriTy.

The Minister of Lands is drafting a bill to consolidate the various sheep acts since 187S, and when completed it will be submitted to the various pastoral associations with a view of ascertaining their opinions. The secretary to the Mount Ida District Hospital acknowledge with thanks the re•eipt of 33 volumes presented to the hospital by Sergt-major M'Pherson, who received hemfrom St. Pauls' Sunday School, Oamaru. vVe need hardly observe that similar douations wenld be much appreciated, The return cricket match Cricketers v. Footballers, to have taken plase last Saturday, did not eventuate through some misunderstanding on the part of several players. A scratch match between sides chosen by Messrs. S. Inder and Jones ended in the overwhelming defeat of the latter. It is exthat a very close game will result on Saturday, when the return match Cricketers y. Footballers is to take place. A start will be made at 2 o'clock, and players are requested to be punctual in turning up. By all means (says the Gore " Standard "). 'et us have a conference of delegates from our various agricultural organisations during '/he time the Exhibition is open ; but let us tee that it does as much good as possible, by discussing all questions which affect the /armers' interests, and on which there is substantial unanimity among them ; and by avoiding all subjects which only indirectly effect the farmer, and especially the discussion of everything that is likely to place the members iu antagonism the one to the ' other. The conference should not be run by " wire-pullers." On far too many occasions the farmers have been tricked into playing the part of the cat who was made to pull ihe monkey's chesuuts out of the fire. The Inangahua County Council have been "ompelled to pay for damages sustained through a horse injuring itself in a rotten culvert and throwing its rider. The defence was that the plaintiff had not used proper precautious and had contributed to the damage. Further, that the maintenance of the road was let to the contractors, who were liable for damages. At the Ensilage Conference, now sitting in Melbourne, the following remarkable statement was agreed upon by all the practical men present as being a true representation of the facts :—The same fifty acres of green stuff that would produce two tons of hay altogether, at a coat of about £1 per ton for the making, would produce 300 tons of ensilage at 2s per ton for the making : and the 300 tons of ensilage when made would be worth at least double the amount that the hay would be worth either for fattening or milk-producing qualities, and worth many times at much as a summer fodder for milk cows. A cow cannot eat more of the ensilage than of hay in a day. The " Lyttlelton Times " gives the following item of interest to woolgrowers :—"A private letter from Melbourne fromagentleman qualified to judge, states that the English and Continental buyers there are so greedy for wool this season that prices obtained are on a level with those ruling at the recent London sales. One large English buyer, a Yorkshireman, of course, has such large ■orders that he states he could take the whole Australian clip of the particular sort he requires, and not being able to secure all he wants there, he intends to extend his commission to New Zealand. This (is indeed cheering news for our woolgrowers, and they are to be congratulated on their bright prospects." General Lord Wolseley writes : " I

take the German army as the highest existing type of the military system and organisation which the changes effected in armies by the French revolution have led up to; and much as I admire that army as a soldier, I admire it still more as a citizen. Great as it is at war, it is infinitely greater as a national school for the moral, mental and physical training of the people. Designed exclusively for war, it has become the most important of peace institutions. In it all Germans are trained to strength, and taught the first principles of cleanliness and of health. There they learn to'be honest and manly, and are taught the excellence of those virtues which serve to make men good übjects and law-abiding citizens. It is the chool of the nation in which deep love of atherland is fostered and cherished, and where all the classes learn that there is honor in obedience, and nobility in selfsacrifice." Lord Wolseley wants a " unil versal service " for England. The Maniototo Football Club wound up their season with a highly successful ball which was held in the Eweburn School on the 25th of October. Everything passed off pleasantly. The music and catering were all that could be desired, and the danccraseemed to be in the best possible humour with themeclvesand the world generally. After supper Mr. Forrester, on behalf of the Eweburn ladies, presented the club with a handsome red, white and blue silk banner, which he contended was well worthy the crack team of Maniototo County. Mr Glenn (Capt. M.F.C.) briefly responded, thanking the ladies for their handsome gift, and assuring them that the club wonld endeavour to keep an unbeaten record as long as possible. Dancing was then resumed and kept up till daylight. Mr. Geo. Pirie supplied the music, and Mr. R. Aimes was an efficient M.C.—Contributed.