The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, MAY 24, 1883. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1109, 24 May 1883, Page 2

The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, MAY 24, 1883. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Bake Holiday.—To-day being the anm', versary of the Queen’s Birthday, will be observed by the Bank of New Zealand, Temuka, as a holiday. 1.0.0. F. Sports, Geraldine. These sports come off to day in the Park, Geraldine. A first-class programme has been prepared, and, with fine weather, a good day’s amusement may be anticipated. South Orari Board op Conservators. —The South Oran River Board of Conservators notify that they purpose, on June 7th, striking a rate of fid in the £ on all rateable property, for the year ending May 31st, 1884. The rate-book is now open for inspection at the Road Board Office, Temuka, An Australian Explorer.—The fate of Mr Walter Clarke, who was left by his companions in the far north of Australia some time ago, is now ascertained. Mr Clarke and a black boy, together with all their horses, were killed by the blacks while Mr Clarke was asleep in his tent. The savages devoured the bodies of men and horses. Horse Taming. Professor Sample, a horse tamer in Auckland, recently drove through the principal streets of the city with two or three tin cans tied behind the horse. Thereupon a letter appeared in one of the papers charging him with needless cruelty. The Professor, in reply, stated that the animal had been brought to him that day as a wild and unbroken colt, and his object in driving through ibe town in the manner complained of was to convince the public how superior his system of “ gentle firmness was to the usually cruel me'hot! of handling horses.” -

The Blue Ribbon Abmt The Blue Ribbon mission closed in Christchurch on Monday night. 809 persons hare taken the pledge since the commencement; An Energetic School Committee.— At a meeting of the Dunedin School Committee on Monday evening, a motion was carried unanimously—" That it be an instruction to the Chairman and Clerk to enforce the attendance at a public School of the children of school age now playing in the ‘ Pinafore Troupe,’ ”

Election of Road Boards.— An Order-in-Council has been prepared, extending the time for election of all Road Boards, which were not elected in the first week in May, to all of June—not only the first week as originally intended, but any day in the month which the Road Board may fix. The order will shortly be gazetted. History of Moses.— The following amusing history of the great Jewish law giver is said to have been furnished by a pupil at a recent school examination in reply to the question : Who Jwas Moses P " He was an Egypsian. He lived in a bark made of bullrushers, and kept a golden carf and worshipt braizen snakes, and bet nothin’ but kwales and manner for 40 years. He was kort by the ’air of his ’ed while riding under a bow of a tree, and was kill’d by his son Abosolon as he was bangin’ from the bow. His end was pease.” Fatal Accident.— While uncoupling a waggon which was being shunted on to Burton’s siding (Southland), on the northern line on Saturday, a young man named John Tomlinson got thrown down in such a way that a boot was torn off from one foot and one of his knees severely jammed, The injury, on examination at the Hospital, was found to be severe, the joint being laid open and much lacerated. The guard being at the time engaged at the points on the opposite side of the line so as to let the trucks through, could not see what Tomlinson was doing, and was unaware of the accident in time to take steps to prevent it. On Monday afternoon it was found necessary to amputate the leg at the thigh, and Tomlinson, whose condition was critical from the first) gradually sank and died last Monday night. Baptism Postponed from Want of Water.— ln one of the dry districts of New South Wales (writes " iEglei ” in the Australasian) the baptism of a baby was of necessity postponed on a late occasion, because there was no water wherewith to perform the ceremony. This may appear but it is an unexaggerated fact. The parents, the godfathers and the godmothers were duly in attendance, with a square black bottle of water from the Bluegrass Creek, The precious fluid was left in the church porch, and when the christening period in the service arrived the water was sought. Alas! Some thirsty soul, beguiled perhaps by the squareness of the flask, had drawn the cork, and the contents were missing. The christening had to be postponed, for there wasn’t a watorhole within five miles of the church. A Strange Animal.— A Wairarapa paper says:—" Some residents of Maiterton, while out shooting early in the week, were astonished At noticing a strange looking animal, quite different to anything they had ever seen, even in a museum. One of them was so horrified and alarmed that he had his hands and arms torn among the bush lawyers, and the other stood trembling behind a tree with his gun loaded when he should have been using it. They describe it to be about the size of a dog, with short legs, and long hair, curled at the ends, large eyes and jaws, and broad muzzle. The dogs pursued it, but one returned nearly flayed alive, and the others would hunt no longer, A Maori, hearing the animal described, at once declared it to a ‘ taniwha’—a sacred animal of amphibious habits, in which the spirit of the rivers and waters is said to reside.” A Royal Welcome.—Great preparations are now being made in Tauranga by the natives for the reception of the Maori king, who is expected at the end of the week and will be welcomed in right royal style. Pohika (Fox), who is a relation of the Maori king, has collected as a present for his royal kinsman £9OO in notes, and mats and other curiosities to the value of £6OO, and for some time past he has been accumulating a large quantity of flour and sugar and other delicacies, with which he has completely filled his new house. Fox is also to present His Majesty, if he will accept the gift, with his new carved Louse in the pah, which he lias eree'ed at great cost. The feast will be inaugurated and accompanied by. a song of welcome and dancing, and will be brought fo a close by the largest war dance that has ever eventuated in the district. Th# natives are assembling in large numbers, and from a rumor that has reached Tauranga it is esti mated that several thousand will be present at the feast to welcome His Majesty. Death of Major Edward Withers. — Major Withers, Officer Commanding the Auckland District, died on Saturday, aged 76, of bronchitis. The deceased arrived at the Bay of Islands in 1847 with his regiment, the 65th or Royal Bengal Tigers, being then Color-Sergeant and Pay-Sergeant. Soon afterwards he was ordered to Auckland, and promoted to the rank of Sergeant-Major, and then received an appointment as Quartermaster. Subsequently he was promoted to the rank of captain, and served as such during the Waikato campaign in the Transport Corps service. He eventually retired on the rank of captain, receiving a captain’s pension, and then went to reside at Napier. When the East Coast disturbance broke out Captain Withers formed a volunteer company in Napier to take part in the work of quelling the rebellion, and bo was the prominent figure throughout that campaign. The Government rewarded his services by appointing him Officer Commanding the Hawke's Bay District, and subsequently, when Major Fcrdon retired, be was' appointed Inspecting Officer for the Colony. In 1876 he was appointed to the charge of the Auckland District. Tne funeral look place on Tuesday, and was attended by between 2000 and 3000 persons, ,

The New Timaru Railway Station.— This Station was opened yesterday afternoon, without any ceremony. Babnum’s Show. —Two hundred times last year Barnum’s show attracted a daily attendance of 30,000 people 5 it represents a capital of orer £600,000; its actual daily expenses are over £950; it uses nearly a mile of its own railroad cars; requires eight acres for its tents ; employs 600 men and women, 300 horses, 160 advance advertisers and five spacious advertising cars. It exhibits 29 elephants, 10 giraffes, 10 ostriches and 32 camels and dromedaries. It has lost over £16,000 worth of animals, and purchased £52,000 worth more. The mere search for novelties cost not less than £20,000 in 1882. International Alliance.— An understanding (says the London correspondent of the Argus) exists between Austria, Giermany and Italy, by which Italy is pledged to do nothing to bring on war with Prance, but on the contrary to make every effort to maintain friendly relations with her. Austria and Germany will act similarly. If one of the three powers is attacked by Prance, then the other two will make common cause with her and support her. Should one of the contracting powers bo attacked by any power other than Prance, the other two are free to remain neutral, but may not in any case join the power with whom their ally is at war. Jews in the Army.— Says ‘ iEgles * in the Australasianln the Army and Navy Gazette it is told that some influential Hebrew organisation in London memorialised the Commander-in-Chief to permit all Jewish soldiers in the British Army an opportunity of observing the Passover and other religious ceremonies. The request was courteously granted, and intimation was accordingly sent to the colonel of every regiment, asking him at the same time to make a return of dll Jewish soldiers under his command. The whole of these returns are now in, and witn a remarkable result. In the ranks of the entire British army there is just one Jew!

Securing a Husband.— Last summer a ballet dancer went with Count Anton to Reighenau. The count was nob young, but generous. The balietine was unhappy, however, and expressed her opinions on marriage to him very pointedly. At last the count promised to lead the fair danseuse to the altar on one condition —if she would collect as many used postage stamps as would paper the walls of his grand saloon., She took him at his word. The walls are now, it is said, covered with many thousands of stamps, but the plafond is still white, and advertisements now appear in the Vienna papers calling on the population of Vienna to assist in completing the w»rk. 1.0 G.T., Temuka.— A tea and entertainment in connection with the Good Hope Lodge of Good Templars, was held last Monday evening in the Templars’ Hall ) Temuka. The chair was occupied by Bro Russell, W.0.T., and there was a fair attendance. After the good things were done justice to, the entertainment opened with the singing of a Good Templar ode. The Rev D. Gordon then engaged in prayer, after which the Chairman addressed the meeting. The Revs D. Gordon and T. A. Hamilton gave very instruct ire addresses on the evils of intemperance and the benefits derivable from abstinence from alcoholic beverages. Songs were given by Bros Turner, Clayton and Edgier, recitations by Bro W. Coltman, junr (“ The Drunkard’s Anguish,”) and Sister Goodey, and a capital dialogue by Miss and Master Goodey, which elicited great applause. The usual votes of thanks terminated the proceedings. Major Atkinson’s Insurance Scheme.— At a meeting in Nelson of the members of Friendly Societies, the Oddfellows, Foresters, and Eechabites taking part, it was decided to ask the Hon Major Atkinson the following questions (1) Is there any absolute necessity existing at present warranting the establishment of a scheme of national insurance ? (2) What is the necessity P (3) If, as you say, crime through drink is the cause of poverty; could not Customs’ duties on intoxicating liquors be devoted to the maintenance of hospital and charitable aid, &c, and the balance, if any, invested for the future benefit of those institutions ? (4) Will Major Atkinson embody in his scheme a clause exempting all preicnt and future members of Friendly Societies from contributing to a Government scheme, providing that sufficient provision be made in the societies’ laws and Friendly Societies’ Act to make membership continuous ? (5) Will Major Atkinson define the classes alluded to for which the State would be required to make certain provision on account of those classes which cannot pay ? A Strange Fit. — Mr Wheelband brought to us yesterday a’ very strange looking —, well, we do not kno w what to call it. If is not a fly, nor a butterfly, nor a dragon fly, and yet there is a family likeness between itself and any of these. It is an inch and a half in length, a quarter of an inch in circumference, and has four long spider legs underneath the middle, and a pair of very flexible arms up near where its ears ought to be. It has long web-like wings of beautiful green color, a large pair of eyes, and a mouth and nose like a cow. Altogether it is a strange looking insect, and i's habits are equally peculiar. Mr Wheelband has bad it confined in a glass case for some weeks past, and it has been the source of much amusement to him. Its food consists of the common bouse fly. It is the deadly enemy of any of that class that comes across its path; and woe betide the poor wretch that gets within its grasp. It tabes the fly between its fore legs and lops its legs >o prevent it from giving any serious trouble, and then commences Jto eat it alive. Mr Wheelband spent one Sunday afternoon catching flies and pouring them into its glass, and it devoured six of them in less than an hour. When its hunger was appeased it sat down, and if a fly came near it it gave i'. a blow with one of its arms winch sent it sprawling to the floor. Mr Wheelband intends sending it to Dr Yon Haasb with a view of ascertaining what it is.

Mr George Meredith, of Fairfield, cautions trespassers. Mr R. H. Postlethwaito calls for tenders for gorso cutting on the Raukapuka Estate, Geraldine. Mr Thomas Turner, Main South Road, Tcmuka, announces that he has a supply of. fresh fish daily. Mr K, P. Gray, on Wednesday next will a quarter acre section wish two-room®® cottage thereon, fronting Hamilton street, Arowhenua.

Messrs Maclean and Stewart will hold a sale of grain at Evan’s Grain Stores, Timaru, on Friday next. On Saturday they will sell a number of freehold sections in Washdyke township.