LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1461, 30 January 1886, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Entertainments.—Miss Georgia Smithson’s Company played in Geraldine on Wednesday and Thursday nights. There was a fair attendance on both occasion?. The company left for Ashburton yesterday. Pigeon Flying.— The Oxford correspondent of the Press informs it that a carrier pigeon belonging to Mr F. Luers, of Oxford, wns liberated at Wanganui on the 7th met., and reached home during the night of the 26th. It was much exhausted when found by Mr Luers next morning, The bird had previously come home from Christchurch and Dunedin. Mr Back. —At the meeting of the Lyttelton Harbor Board on Thursday, the Chairman (Mr E. G. Wright), in speaking of the resignation of Mr. Back, expressed the regret of .the Board at the severance of Mr Back’s connection with the railway service, and said that the colony was losing the services of a most efficient officer, to whom it was a pity there had not been inducements offered to remain here. True Manliness.— The Rev. Mr J. Holland gave the concluding lecture of the serie in St. Saviour's Church, Temuka, on Tuesday evening, the subject being “Damaged carl?.” There was a faily largo audience —seveial of (hose present coming from a distance. The lecturer handled the theme with considerable ability, and was listened to with the greatest attention throughout. During the week about 80 persms have signified their concurrence with the resolution of the White Cross Society. Fire at Waimate,—A fire broke out at 8 o’clock on Wednesday night in a shop in Queen street occupied by Mr T. Evans, a tailor. The shop was scon burnt to the ground, as it was very dry and old, and the shops adjoining, occupied by Mr H, Mann, saddler, and Mr Smith, photographer, were also entirely destroyed. The Fire .Brigade worked hard, but the water supply was very scarce. Potter’s Club Hotel was in great danger, owing to the high southerly wind. The East and West Coast Railway. —Mr C. 0. Bowen (Christchurch) has received a telegram from the delegates in London re the East and Wert Coast and Nelson Railway, which he says is of a very hopeful character, and shows that the delegates have sanguine views of the probability of the succses of the negotiations which are still pending. Mr Bowen declines to publish the telegram, and is himself hardly so sanguine as the delegates of the ultimate success, because the negotiations have been going on so long. Eire. —A fire broke out on Wednesday evening in a paddock belonging to the New Zealand and Australian Land Compnnj’, about a mile from the railway station at Rakaia. Immediately on the fire being noticed at Rakaia, several hurried to the place, and used their utmost endeavors to extinguish the flames, and prevent them from spreading. This they accomplished after a good deal of sharp work, but not before some twenty acres of grass had been burnt and a quarter of a mile of gorae fences had been destroyed.

The Millionaire. The Auckland Her,ild has the following A young English spark named Benson, who has of late been gaining great notoriety in Melbourne by his large gambling transactions, has shaken the Australian dust off his feet and gone home to the bosom of his family, It is said that during the sojourn of this young gentleman iu the cclooies his gambling account showed losses to the extent of £120,000. This amount, however, is represented by a considerable amount of paper, which is hebl by a well-known Melbourne money lender, This no doubt is the gentleman of that name who flourished as “ the millionaire” in Timaru about six months ago. Geraldine Floral and HoETicramjßAL Society. —A meeting of the Committee of the above Society was held in the Secretary’s office on Wednesday erening last. Present —Mr J. Cunningham, President, in the chair, and Messrs G, Patrick, J, W. Pye, J, Pye, S. Chapman, M. Coombs, A, Spence, E. Johns, 0. Eamble, and the Secretary, E. Hardcastle. The minutes of the last ordinary and of a special meeting were read and confirmed, Accounts in connection with the late show to the amount of £lB were presented and passed for payment. The prize list amounting to £27, was also passed, and the Secretary was instructed to pay over the prize moneys. The Secretary and Treasurer were instructed to prepare a balance sheet after the accounts are all paid, and present the same to a meeting of the Committee to be held on Wednesday, February 10th. Tt I is expected after all subscriptions are in that | (here will be a very substantia! balance to j carry forward to next year. After the of other routine business the meeting adjourned.

Maori Wedding, A Maori wedding eroded quite a sensation in Tetpuka last Wednesday when Mr W. Tiko was married to Miss Fowler, The bride, who is only 14 ! years of age but, looks seventeen, was r dressed in a light blue silk dress trimmed with white lace, and the bridesmaid in white silk. The marriage ceremony, which was performed by the Her. Mr Clark, of Geraldine, in the Natives’ Church at the pah, was witnessed by a large concourse of people— Europeans as well as Natives being present. After the ceremony the whole party adjourned to the Maori Hall where a most sumptuous repast was laid ont, and to which all received an invitation, Almost all present partook of the hospitality so liberally extended to them. In the evening a ball was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Temuka, A charge of one shilling was made at the door, but notwithstanding this there was an immense crowd present, The music was supplied by natives, who alternately played the concertina and violin, and everything passed off pleasantly, The whole affair was conducted most respectably and did infinite credit to the Maoris. Geraldine Rifles. — On Wednesday evening last an inspection of the Geraldine Rifles by Lieut. Col. Bailey took place. Considering that only a day’s notice had been given there was a good muster,'there being 38 of all ranks. The men fell in at half-past six in front of the drill shed, and under Lieut. Ward (who took charge jn the absence of Captain Moore, through illness), were marched on to the domain. Colonel Bailey on his arrival inspected the arms and accoutrements, and the men were divided into two companies, and put through the skirmishing movements. The Colonel expressed himself as very well pleased with the way in which the men went through their drill, and he was gratified to find that they still went on improving. He irapresod upon them the necessity for steadiness and quietness when in extended order, as without it, it is almost impossible to hear the commands of the officers correctly, and confusion was caused if they did not. We may mention that Major Nowall, Adjutant, and Slap; Sergeant Jo "for Jones were also present at the parades

11. M. Court, Geraldine.—The usual fortnightly sitting of this Court will be held on Monday next at half-past twelve. Blue Ribbon Soiree. —We understand that the Bine Ribbon Committee are getting up a public soiree to be held in about three weeks’ time in the Yolunteer Hall, Tetnuka. i Geraldine Literart Institute. The annual meeting of the members of the Geraldine Literary Institute will be held on Wednesday next, Feb. 3rd, in the Committee room, at 8 p.m. A meeting of t he Committee will be held at half-past seven. Local Board of Health. —A meeting of the Committees appointed respectively by the Temuka Road Board and Temnka Town Board was held last evening in the Town Board Office, Present Messrs Talbot (Chairman), Gray, Mason and Blyth. Nothing was definitely settled. The Late Attempted Suicide. —At the E.M. Court, Timaru, on Wednesday last, W. J. Newton was brought before J, Beswick, Esq., R.M., charged with attempted suicide. Hie accused expressed contrition for his act, and, on promising not to repeat it, and was discharged after being admonished by the Resident Magistrate. The Temuka School. —At a special meeting of the Temuka School Committee on Wednesday last, several communications were read affecting the gentLman recently selected by the Committee to take the second mastership of the school. After consideration of them it was decided to recommend the appointment of Mr H. Cross to the position, and to request, the Board to sanction the appointment and get, the office filled as soon as possible, the want of a second master in the sohool being seriously felt. The Barque Hudson.—A Christchurch paper states that, ns previously notified, two bailiffs were placed on board the Hudson on Friday the 22nd inst., to remain in possession until a claim made by the Timaru Harbor Board was settled, or a bond given for the amount. On Thursday afternoon the bailiffs were still on board and had no instructions to release the vessel. —This contradicts a statement made by the Lyttelton Times to the offset that the agents having signed a bond, the bailiffs had been removed. Cricket. —The match Volunteers v. Civilians, takes place in the Temuka Park to-day, play commencing at 2 p.m, sharp. The following comprise the Volunteer team Captain Hayhurst, Hon. Chaplain Rev. T. A. Hamilton, Hon. Surgeon Dr H. W. Campbell, Lieut. Findlay, Sergt. Guy, Bandsmen Brown and Colfman, Privates Heap, Russell, Velvin and Cleaves ; Emergencies—Corporals Levens and Hobbs, Co’,-Sergeant Coira, and Privates Burrows, Whitehead, and Clinch. Temuka Rifles. —The first Government parade for the year 1836 was held la»t Thmsday evening. Colonel Bailey, Major Newall and Sergeant-Major Jones were present. The corps mustered in the Hall at 7 o’clock to the number of 43 members, including officers, and after haring been put through a few evolutions marched, headed by their Band, to the Arowhenua common, where they were put through skirmishing exercise. The men behaved very well, and went through the various movements very creditably. After darkness set in they were marched back to town again, and after having proceeded through the main street headed by their Band playing appropriate music, they returned to the Hall where they were dismissed. Colonel Bailey complimented them on the way they had behaved.

Death or an Old Settler.—Captain Henry Cain, one of the oldest South Canterbury settlers, passed away yesterday, at Timaru, at the age of 70 years. He had been ailing for some time, so his death was not unexpected. Captain Cain took a leading part in all that was for the good of the district from the very earliest days of settlement in South Canterbury until a comparatively short time ago. He was connected with the first Timaru landing service—a service of no little importance in those days—and was associated for some years with the late Mr David Munro in the general store business at one time carried on on the site of the present Clarendon Hotel, For years he was a member of the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works and other public bodies, as a member of which bis keen business qualities were of no little value. His decease will be regretted by a very large circle of friends and relations.

An Incorrigible Rogue,— At the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Ashburton, yesterday, H. C. S. Baddeley, Esq,, R.M., on the Bench, we learn from the Guardian that George Titmus alias Titmouse, alias Cullen, alias Morris, alias Morrison, alias Moonlight, was charged with being an incorrigible rogue within the intent and meaning of clause 29 of Iho Police Offences Act} with being without any visible lawful means of support, and having been frequently convicted as an idle and disorderly person and a rogue and a vagabond.—ln reply to the Magistrate the accused said his real name was George Morris Titmus. He was a native of Brisbane Street, Launcestion, Being interrogated as to evidence regarding his character and means, the accused said Messrs Williamson, Crisp, Aeland, McLean, Quill, Tripp, and a number of other gentlemen would give him an excellent character. Evidence was given by several witnesses regarding the general bad habits of the accused, Sergeant Felton said the accused had been convicted 53 times. As none of those gentlemen mentioned by the accused “could find time to attend ” he called a number of persons who were in the Court. Tboir evidence was not at all favorable, and the Magistrate, having commented upon the character and crimes of the accused, ordered that he should be imprisoned with hard labor for 18 months, Supreme Court, Timaru.— -At the Supreme Court, Timaru, on Thursday, in Chambers, in Siegert and Fauvel v, Tilson, Mr Hameraley moved that the writ issued by the Court on January 6th be set aside, on the ground that the plaintiffs had not obtained judgment for the amount set out in the writ of sale, and the amount is not owing by the defendant to the plaintiffs. Mr White opposed the motion on the ground that sufficient notice had not been given, and, after argument, His Honor dismissed it. The case of Miles, Archer and Co. v. Denis Hoare, uxor (commenced on the previous day) was resumed. In this case plaintiffs shipped Home a quantity of grain for the defendants in 1882, on which they made certain advances, which were not covered by the sale of the grain, and the plaintiffs sought to make Mrs Hoare, who is the owner of property to a considerable amount, liable for the loss, as she was with her husband when the advances were arranged. The jury returned a verdict for plaintiffs for £691 8s lid for the loss on the wheat. His Honor gave judgment accordingly, awarding costs on the highest, scale, the balance of the claim and accounts connected therewith to be gone through by an accountant. Mr Harper said both sides had agreed t,o epgage Mr Begg-* services. The Court {jien rose ?

Excursion TO W inchesteb.— -An excursion by rail from Timaru to Winchester lust Thursday afternoon was taken part in by about 300 persons, who seemed to thoroughly enioy themselves. Mr J. A. Young kindly placed the grounds and garden attached to his residence at the disposal of the visitors, who amused themselves by playing lawn tennis, rounders, croquet, etc. The materials for the games were provided by Mr Young, who with Mrs and Miss A Young, strove to make everyone as happy as possible. St. Patrick’s Brass Band (Timaru) was present and played a number of selections at intervals very nicely. It is understood that the excursion is the precursor of many similar ones in connection with the Thursday half holiday in Timaru. An Incident at the Sthatfobd Fiee. —A curious story is told of how Mr Woodruffe, a settler at Stratford, saved himself from being burned to death. He had taken refuge in the well. Seeing all escape cut off, he bethought himself of this refuge as the last and only resort. Lowering himself by the rope from the windlass, he soon found binself out of the reach of the fire, and in an atmosphere that could sustain life. Looking upwards, he could see the flames running along the ground like a continuous stream of fire, and occasionally they would lick down the well and threaten him even there. The windlass could be seen burning. First the rope became detatched and fell down, and it was at once apparent that a new danger was threatened when the supports of the windlass should give way and the heavy piece of timber which formed the drum should fall in upon him. The burning length of log at last fell down, and it was only by squeezing close to the side of the well that he escaped being struck by it. It was, of course, alight when it fell, but the water soon extinguished what would otherwise probably have been the means of smothering him.

Wesleyan Conference.— -At Wednesday’s sitting of the Wesleyan Conference at k Christchurch, it was stated that the amount collected in the colony towards Home Missions was £2560 12s 6d, of which Canterbury cnntributed £596 9s 6d. It is estimated that the collections towards the same object next year will amount to £2766 10s, and the expenditure to £2697 8s Id, On Thursday it was agreed to employ a Maori evangelist to travel through the Maori districts of the west coast of the North Island, under the care of the Rev. W. dittos. The Rev. J. S. Smalley was, appointed Connexional evangelist. A report on the subject of temperance wa* submitted by the Secretary. The report showed that all the ministers were total abstainers, and ninotonths of the members of the congregation in the colony. Following are the items : Bands of Hope, 38 with 4346 members; Temperance Societies 14, with 1221 members ; pledged children in schools, 7069, with 2723 children in other than Wesleyan’Bands of Hope. The report was adopted. Resolutions were passed tending to develope temperance work, and the Rev. J. S. Smalley was reappointed General Secretary. Resolutions from various districts on the matter of social purity were read, and the conference unanimously pledged itself to use all legitimate means to lessen the evil; also to petition the Legislature to raise the age of consent to eighteen. DhbpA-XBXNg Baskbbs.— The number of suicides among the brightest and most capable of businessmen, bankers and others, will be reduced to a minimum as soon as the specified virtues of American Hop Bitters are known. As all men who work with their brains and neglect to take the needed exercise, the food taken does not nourish, and dangerous debility, physical and mortal, ensue. Bead Advt. Holloway’s Pills.— The Great Need.— The blood is the life, and on its purity depends our health, it not our existence. These Fills thoroughly c leans this vital fluid from all contaminations, and by that power strengthen and invigorate the whole system, healthily stimulate sluggish organs, repress over-excited action, and establish order of circulation and sec-etion throughout every part of the body. The balsamic nature of Holloway’s Pills commends them to the favor of debilitated and nervous constitutions which they soon reousitate. They dislodge all obstructions, both in the bowels and else, where, and are on that account much sought after for promoting regularity of action in young females and persons who are naturally weak, or from some cause have become so,— [Advt.]

SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISE MEN PS. Geraldine Literary Institute—Annua! meeting on Wednesday next. J. A, Young—Has accepted Mr T. Markham’s tender for carting. K, F. Gray—ls receiving entries fur Geraldine monthly sale next Wednesday ; sells cattle, sheep, engine and combine, etc., at Winchester Fair on Thursday next.