LOCAL & GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2004, 21 July 1892, Page 19

LOCAL & GENERAL.

At a recent meeting of the Standing Committee of the diocese, Bishop Nevill referred to the generosity of the Rev. Mr Ryley, Presbyterian minister, in giving a site at Owake for the rebuilding of the little church lately destroyed by fire. Grants were made at the same meeting in aid of church work at Owake and Riverton, aud the consideration of other applications was postponed. The importance of more general support of the general church fund was the subject of conversation by the committee, and it was decided to take steps for the appointment of a tiavelling agent to explain this subject to the church people of the parish.

At the meeting of tho Harbour Board on the 14th, a resolution urging upon the Government the speedy prosecution of the Obago Central railway as far as Ewcburn was carried unanimously. It was aKo resolved to request the Government to provide :i sum of money for the purpose of extending the steamers' wharf at Port Chalmers, over which the Railway Cornmissionets have control.

A Waipahi correspondent writes : — "On Tuesday night (12) at a numerously-attended meeting the residents of Waipahi presented Mra Strang with a handsome gold watch and chain, together with a gold brooch, as a token of their esteem and regard. Mis Strang has during her residence in the district taken an active part in the Sunday school and acted as orgauist both for the Presbyterian and Wesleyan congregations. • Many, however, not connected with these bodies took the opportunity of manifesting their regard, and the testimonial expressed the unanimous desire of the residents to show their affection for Mrs Strang and th> ir appreciation of her sterling worth and amiable qualities."

The following telegram from Wuiroa (H. 8.) appears in the Napier Telegraph of Monday, from its own correspondent: — "Considerable sensation w*s created on Saturday afternoon on its becoming known that the whole of the family,""servants, and boarders at Mr Poyzer'a Hotel had been poisoned by arsenic, unwittingly used instead of baking powder. It appears that the cook, a woman, having found the tin of baking powder which she had been using to be empty, took off the shelf another tin containing a white powder, which she took to be baking powder. She used a teaspoonful of it in a Yorkshire pudding, and all who partook of it showed unmistakable signs of arsenical poisoning. Dr Ross was called in, and took steps to counteract the poison. Several of the patients were in a very dangerous condition, but it is believed they are now out of danger." |

It is stated that the Farmers' Association in Canterbury, a meeting of which was held the other day, hope to be able to control most of the country electorates at the next election, owing to the widespread feeling against the progressive land tax and the provision by which mortgages oannot be deducted. Considerably over 20,0001b of the oil was sent to England from California last year." Why cannot the Australian colonies follow the Californian lead, and ship their eucalyptus oil to the mother country for disposal ? Wo regret to have to announce the death of Mrs Georgo Bell, wife of the proprietor of the Evening Star, which took place at her residence, Dundas street, on Friday night. The deceased lady was 78 years of age, and had for some time been confined to bed through the frailties incident to advancing years. Mr Bell will have the deepest sympathy of his fellow citizens in the loss of his partner in life for so manyyears. At ameetingof the South Dunedin branch of the National Liberal Association it was resolved to thank Mr Earnshaw for his action in bringing before the House the subject of " the silent system " at the Hillside workshops. Our Roxburgh correspondent writes : — " The Land Board Commissioners met a number of residents on Thursday evening on the matter of run 199. After some discussion, the opinion: of the residents was to the effect that the interests of settlers would be best met by cutting up the land into 10 seotions. A visit of inspection was made, and at a meeting on Friday evening it was agreed that a subdivision into six sections would be preferablo, reserving a small area for close settlement near Cave Creek. These six sections will comprise from, 1750 to 2000 acres each." It is understood (says the London correspondent of tho Auckland Herald) that the two shipping companies which practically monopolise the carrying and passenger trade to New* Zealand are disposed to co-operate with the Government in offering attractions to men — especially small farmers — with capital to proceed to and settle in the colony. Some years ago, it may he remembered, a system prevailed under which emigrants of this class, when approved by the Agent-general, received assistance towards their passage money to the extent of LlO per adult. I believe Mr Westby Perceval would like to see this revived with certain modifications. The two shipping companies would make substantial reductions if the colonial Government would grant to the emigrant an equivalent degree of assistance. Should this be brought into operation, it would undoubtedly be considered a very great attraction by small capitalists, who ritoove all things fear to dissipate their savings in defraying heavy travelling expenses. Dr George Brown, who was the fouiidor some 15 years ago of Christian missions in New Britain, is at present paying a short visit to New Zealand. He is expected in Dunedin in about a fortnight, and will deliver a, lecture or two in the city. The story he has to tell is full of thrilling incident, creating deep popular interest. Dr Brown has lately returned from establishing several now mission centres in New Guinea, A ludicrous denouement to a presentation came up at the Wyndham Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday, when several subscribers to a purse of sovereigns given to a settler going Home on a trip sued the hotelkeeper for money which had beon deposited with him for safe keeping, and which, it was alleged, he had impounded to pay au account for drinks, &c. owing to him by the beneficiare. After argument, the hearing was adjourned till the Bth. prox. Mr G. J. Binns, who has had very considerable personal experience in mining in New Zealand, recently (says the European Mail) read a very interesting and well-compiled paper on that subject at a meeting in London of the Federated Institution of Mining Engineers. Although the meeting took place at noon there was a good attendance of those interested in that industry of our far-away colony. Mr Kenuaway, of the New Zealand Government Office, was present, and related how many years ago two gold diggers prospected his sheep run in South Canterbury, and found the colour wherever they dug, and at more than one place could have made 7s a day, but this the digger^ did not consider by any means sufficient. Mv Kennaway kindly off ered to place hia knowledge

of the locality at the disposal of any of the gentlemen present who might desire to form a New Zealand gold exploration company.

Amongst the passengers by the Talune from Melbourne on Tuesday was Mr J. A. Torrance, who has been absent for some time on a holiday. Mr Torrance will resume his duties as gaol and hospital chaplain in greatly improved health.

Our Gore correspondent informs us that Mr A. J. Pease, of Riversdale, has decided to return home to manage his father's business in the north of England. Mr Pease, who is well-known in Dunedin, will be greatly missed in Riversdale, where he had got together an extensive business as wool, grain, and produce broker.

The New Zealand Portland Cement Corporation (the registration whereof in London is mentioned in our cablegrams this week) is the company formed for the purpose of acquiring the cement manufacturing business of the Milburn Lime and Cement Company. The latter company has also received similar cable advice. The prospectus of the new company will be received from London in a few days, and will be published in our advertising columns, a proportion of the shares being reserved for issue in New Zealand.