LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1691, 28 January 1888, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Fifeshibb.—The M. Fifeshird left Port Chalmers on Thursday last. Her cargo consisted of 6053 bale* of woo!, 27,662 carcases mutton, and ISO packages sundries.

The Mblboubne Exhibition. —At a meeting in Timara on Wednesday last, presided oyer by the Mayor, a Committee was appointed to secure the representation of the district at the Melbourne Exhibition. Special attention is to be paid to a wool exhibit. A Bio Fish. —On Thursday Mr B. Beetham caught in Hall's Greek, Leeston, a female trout, which is said to be the largest fish taken with a rod in Canterbury. It scaled not less than 241bs, and, of course, was in splendid condition. The bait used was a live silrery, and the fish fare an hour and forty minutes' play before it could be landed.—Exchange. Westhbh AtriTßAMA.—The Government of Western Australia hare received a despatch from Sir Henry Holland, Seoretary of State for the Colonies, stating that the request of the oolony for responsible Government could not be granted. The smallnees of the population, 40,000 persons, and the vast tracts of unalienated oountry are the principal reasons given for the refusal. The Telephone.—A remarkable telephonio experiment has just been tried. Mr Stead, of the Pall Gazette, held a conversation with a representative, despatched on a tour round the world en behalf of that paper, from Vancouver's Island. The circuit was 15,000 miles, the longest ever worked, and the experiment lasted for three hours, the longest interval being four minutes. Gbbaxdihb Public Spobts.—lt will be noted elsewhere that the annual meeting of those interested in these sports will be held on Thursday evening next. Last year the sports were an unqualified success, and it is to be hoped the gathering will be as heartily supported by the publio this year. The Committee will meet the publio on Thursday with a substantial sum to their oredit, which should form the basis of a really good prize list.

Cabbibbs' PiOHlO.—The annual picnic organised byfche carriers of Timaru took place on Thursday last on Mr Deßenzy's grounds, Winchester, and was b« successful is it was possible to be. Every carrier in Timaru took a holiday, and the rehicles, to the number of between thirty and forty, were utilisad to carry the picnickers (several hundred) to and from their destination. Sports of all kinds were engaged in with zest during the day.

Land Boabd. —At a meeting of the Canterbury Land Board at Ohrislchuroh on Wednesday last, » village sottleiiflnt lease was granted to S. Bates, sa, at Orari. A perpetual lease granted to J, Behrens for lot. 5,51 a, reserve 387, Orari. Four applications for prospeotora' mining leases at Alford Forest were granted. A lease to prospect in the same district for minerals other than gold was granted to Mr E. F. Wright, and one to prospect for gold in the Bealey, Hawdon, and Harper districts to P. Grant.

Liability of Employees. At the Ashburton R.M. Court on Thursday, Wm. Sutherlacd, a farmsr and contractor, sued Epsey, a farm laborer, for £1 in lieu of a week's notice, and £3 special damages through a team of horses having beea kept idle, the defendant having left the employment of the plaintiff without giving notice, After evidence had been taken, judgment was given for £3 and costs, Mr J, Ollivier was on the B«nch.

Thb Pooe of Stdwbt.— A telagram from Sjdney, dated the 26bh, Bays?—"The Commil tee to whom is entrusted tbe work of distributing tickets for foad to the deserving poor have had a busy time of it. Eleven thousand ticket* hare been distributed since 6 o'clock yesterday morning. The applicants appear to be mostly of the thrifty olass of the poor." A. day or two ago, when it was proposed to issue IQ.QOO tickets, the number was scouted as too large! This will give some idea of the number of those in want of food in Sydney »t the present time. Thb Saltation Ai»mt.—Tlae Salvation A.NB7 have decided on • large sohemo of missions/y work amongst the natives in the Australian colonies Tbey propose to raise a contingent verp»d in the Maori language to carry on the work amODgafc the natives of New-JZSaland. Another party wii! be formed to work amongst the Australian aboriginal!, especially among those in Queensland, and steps are being taken to provide for the spiritual wants of the Kanakas and Chinese resident in the colonies. They are alga preparing to carrying on their work more extensively in Western Australia. Gebaldine So?oot CoapnTTHB. A special meeting of this Committee was held on Wednesday evening last-for the purpose of receiving applications for the position of pupil teacher to the sohool. A letter was read from the S.O. Board of Eduoatien advising the Committee of the retirement from the Board of three members, who were oligible for re-election. It was decided to nominate Mr B. fl. Pearpoint. Eight applio.tions were received for the position of pupil teiolier, unci it was decided to recommend iiltetor ; ', Stonobouse for the position. The meeting tlien lerminalfld, J

Temuka Mechanics' Instituth. A special meeting of members of the Temuka Mechanics' Institute is convened for Wednesday evening next to disouss the matter of reducing the subscription. The mutter it one of great interest to the Institute, and the members should collect as much information on the subject as possible. Gebakdinb Racing Cmjb.—A meeting of the Oommittae of this Olub was held on Wednesday last. Present —Messrs R. E. Pearpoint (Chairman), J. Mundell, R. Taylor, Wm. Deßenzy, and W.Lawson, Secretary. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmsd. It was decided to uphold the action of the South Canterbury Jockey Olub with regard to the disqualification of Mr Q-. Rutherford and the brothers Kerr. It was also decided to call tenders for painting the stands that had not yet been painted. Accounts amounting to £9 6a lid were passed for payment, and the meeting adjourned till February 13th. Fire AT Ashburton.—On Wednesday morning a fire destroyed one of the outbuildings connected with the Ashburton Woollen Factory, in which was fltored a quantity of dyed wool, yarn, and cotton waste. A high wind was blowing at the tim«, and the roof of the Factory cmght fire, but plenty of assistance and water being at hand it was extinguished before any damage was done. The value of the building and material destroyed is estimated at £IOO. Spontaneous combination is supposed to be the cause. A Find.—Thb contractor b gang, who are making a road deviation at the Opaki Bluff, above the Ruimahunga river, for the Masterton Road Hoard, have found a shark's tooth, and part of the backbone of a big raaneater, about fifteen feet down in the solid rock. That this part of New Zealand, at one time formed part of the ocean bed is demonstrated by the nature of the rock, which is blue marine mud, mixed with shells and divided by veins of sand, consolidated into a rock as hard as granite or marble.

Accident.—A serious accident happened at Tinwald on Wednesday afternoon. A lad named Robert Ennis, aged 14, was left in charga of a reaper and binder during th« temporary absence of his fathtr from the harvest field, and he had occavion to remove a tussock that got jammed in the knives. Whilst doing so the horses moved on and (he machine went over the boy, the knives cutting and lacerating his right arm in a toirible manner. He managed to get clear and went for asatatanoe. On tmedical aid being obtained (according to tha Press) amputation was found necessary just above the elbow, and the operation was at once performed. The boy is do\ng well. The Rakaia Tragedy.-*At the Ash burton R.M. Court on Wednesday last, Martha Dalziel was charged with the wilful murder of her son by drowning him in the Rakaia river on the 29th Decemder, The police applied for a remand, which was granted, to February Ist, and the accused was remanded to Addington Gaol. For nearly three weeks after the occurrence Mrs Dalziel remained in a state of hysterical coma, but she has now recovered sonsciousness, and owing to the want of accommodation at the Ashburton Gaol she has been removed to Addington for further medical treatment. The proceedings on Wednesday were conducted very quietly, and without attracting the notice of the public.

PaiMiTiVß Methodist Conference.— At the Primitive Methodist Conference, Invercargill, the report of the Church and Building Committee showed that two churches had been built during the year, and that the value of church property was £29,461, and that £750 of debt had been paid off. The churches number 38, with 3800 regular attendants. There has been an increase during the year of 7 Sunday schools, 34 teachers, and 313 scholars Messrs Clemeots, Woollas, Olpbert, nod Potter ware received as candidates for the ministry, and the Rev. W. Laycock was admitted to the full ministry. The Rev. W, J. Dean has been sUlionei at Geraldine, W. Woollas at Tim&ru, T. E. Jones at Oamaru, W. Laycock at Christchurch, W. Boothroyd at Ashburton, J. Sharp at Duuedin, and W. Harris at Manawata. Difference of Opinion.—-The London correspondent of the Melbourne Argus discourses on the Balfour family—that U the brothers and sisters of the present Lish Chief Secretary, air Arthur Balfour—as follows:—Mr Arthur Balfour, the eldest brother, a lopted Conservative politics, but the rest of the family were at one time shining lights of liberalism. The professor was killed on the Alps, before he had time to take any prominent part in public affairs; and Gerald, the bridegroom of the Lytton wedding, joined the Conservatives when the Irish question came up, and is now Bitting; for a division of Leeds as a supporter ]of Lord Salisbury. But the sister of the family, who is marriel to Professor Sidgwick, the well-known economist and writer on ethics, is a Home Ruler, and regrets nothing more than that the disabilities of marriage—for Henry Sidgwick is a Unionist—pravent her from going over to Ireland and getting locked up by order of her brother. The frequent splits in English families on political questions is a feature of social life which adds greatly +o its "flavor." It would be interesting to find Mrs Sidgwick locked up by her brother, Mr Ba'four, and her uncle, Lord Salisbury, for taking part in the Rome Rule movement.

Shipping Caspaitt at Lttxbmok.—The barque May Queen, from London, went ashore at Lytteltjn Heads on Thursday, 1 having struck on the reef kno irn as Bed Head, between the bay and Little Fort Cooper. She took a pilot on board outside the heads, and boat up against a strong uncertain breeze. When off Bed Head she missed stays and ran upon the reef. The tug Lyttelton vent out and endeavored to tow her off, but in vain, for she [had gone ashore at the top of high water, and as the tide ebbed she held fast, A telegram to hand yesterday says :—"The May Queen has bnoD übandoflfd to the Underwriters. She is lying with her head pointing S.S.E., and hanging on the boulders from about the mainmast, the stem being in deep water. There is now nine feet of wafjer in the port hold. The weather is fine, the wind blowing fresh from the S.W. She was badly strained during low water. Out of 1300 tons of general cargo 150 have been got out. Five lighters are engaged in salvage. It is expected if the weather continues fine most of the cargo will be saved. It is nearly all consigned to Christchurch firms, except 20 cases for Napier. A good deal of it is insured at Home. The insurances in the looal offices are ;—Standard, £3OOO j National, £LJOO; New Zealand, £1000; Union, £900; South British, £2OO. I'ho veissel is owned by J. Leslie, Aberdeen, and is insured at Home. She was commanded by Captain Colville.''

PISCATORIAL.—There has been a fishing contest and a fish dinner held under the auspices of the Geraldine County Angling Souiety, but the advertisement referring u> it was not given to us, the Secretary—Mr Mason—stating that he was instructed not to advertise in this paper. The local correspondents of outside papers received invitations to attend the dinner, but no invitation was given to anyone belonging to this paper. Wo merely refer to these matters to explain to our readers tho cause of no report of these things appearing. They will readily see that we could not force our way into a place from which we had been evidently " boycotted," and that consequently it *?.is impossible for us to report the proceedings. When the last fish dinner was held we got the usual invitation, and we treated the Society with all due consideration. We are not aware that we have done anything whatsoever since to deserve being ostracised, only that a general election his taken place since, and that we held and exprjssed decided views on political questions. If the " boycotting'' is the result of politics we must say that politics are descending to a very low levol, and we rather«uspectthatitis,for when Mr Hargreaves was leaving Temuka we were similarly treated, and it was pretty well the same people who had to do with both. We did not mind a few people stopping their papers on account of politics, but when it comes to being deprived of a few mouthfulß of fish it is more than we can bear. We should uot refer to the matter at all only that it became necessary for us to explain why no report appeared ; also to show the respectable portion of the Society the cause of our absence.

Geraldine Rifles.—An inspection parade of this corps was held on Thursday evening last. There were 32 men on parade. In tne unavoidable absence of Colonel Bailey, Major Moore acted as inspecting officer. There were also present Captain R. H. Pearpoint and Lieutenants McKenzie and Ward. Staff-Sergeant Mnjur Joneß was also present. After being inspected, the men were put through company and battalion drill by the various officers.

The Hartest.—Harvesting operations which commenced on the plains a few days ago are now becoming general, and if the weather continues fine should be in full swing next week. The yield is expected to be above the overage both in quality and quantity. Reports on the grain crops in Central Otago arc discouraging. A month back there was promise of an unusually good yield ail round, but since then a continuance of hot weather and parchiug winds has shot the grain into ear prematurely, »nd it has ripened before maturity. The oat crop hne suffered most in this respect. The Australian Centbnabt.—Thursday was observed as a close holiday at Christ - church. Two hundred people were at the Australians' picnic. The Hon. Q-.T. Peacock delivered an address, in" which he reviewed the progress of Australia during the century. A congratulatory telegram was sent to the Government of New South Wales. A regalta, attended by about 1000 persons, was held at Lake Forsyth, and bicycle races were held in the Park. Three thousand attended. At the regatta the Canterbury Kowing Club won the Champion Fours, and the Union Club the Champion Pairs. The former event is to bo rowed again on account of an alleged foul. At the bicycle rices 0. J. Nankivel, of Christohurcb, won the Three and Fire Miles Handicap Teat Races, and Wood won the Half-mile Race. Thk Wkslkyan Conference. —ln the Wesleyan Conference on Wednesday morning the second reading of ministers' appointments was agreed to. In it the Rev. W. G. Thomas is stationed at Waimate, the Rev. R. S. Bunn at Temuka, and the Rev. J. A. Luxford at Timaru. At 11 o'clock the Conference in itt representative session was duly constituted. The President delivered a comprehensive address, after which a Home Mission Committee was appointed. On Thursday evening the Rev. W. Morley moved his motion in favor of separating the Conference from Australia. In his speech he argued that the progress of the Church in Sew Zealand was arrested by its connection with the Australian Churob. He also favored separation on the ground of the geographical position of the colonies. The third reading of the stations will take place on Tuesday. R.M. Cotjbt, GrEBALDiNB.—At this Court on Wednesday, before Messrs R. H. Pearpoint and A. H. Brisco, J.P.'s, four boys— B. Oopostake, J. Ward, G. Gore, and Fyfewere charged upon tbo information of the Geraldine Domain Board with lighting a fire in the bush. The evidence givsn by the boys showed they had lit the fire for the purpose of smoking out sDme bees, and it had blazed up again after they thought they had put it out and had gone away. Aftei' bearing what the boys bad to say, and also the evidence of the Board's Clerk, Mr C. IS. Sberratt, who stated that the expense* connected with the putting out of the fire were £1 is, the case against J. Ward was dismissed. The Bench pointed out to the other three th*t they had laid themselves open to a very serious punishment, and cautioned them to be more careful in the future. The boys were ordered to pay the £1 4s between them, with costs of Court 7s 6d, or in default 24 hours' imprisonment and a severe beating.

- leish Depression. —Mr W. A. Murray, who once represented an Otago constituency in the New Zealand Parliament has just returned frorr a ti|p to the Od Count! y and explains the causo of the present condition of Ireland as follows : " Many of th» Irish landlords had lived above their incomes, and had consequently exacted exorbitant rents from their tenantry, and giving little in return. When bad times came, the landlords had no reserve of wealth, and many were heavily mortgaged. They failed to meet the charges for interest. The capitalists insisted upon the landlords paying; and this was one of the chief causes which led up to coercion. I concluded that the tenantry have enough to exist, without their paying rent ; and that people with empty stomachs are not generally in the best of tempers." Oue Loans.—A Wellington paper says:— " It is rumored that a terrible blunder has been discovered in the loan legislation of last session. It will bo remembered that a ohuse was introduced pledging the colony against any further borrowing for a period /of three years. This, of course, was meant to apply only after the North Island Trunk Railway and Public Works and Immigration Loans sanctioned last session were raised, but it is now said that the olause is so wordod as to absolutely prohibit those loans being placed on the market, and that until Parliament meets again there can be no loan of any kind raised." In regard to the above, Major Atkinson admits that there is a flaw in the chuse. but not of a serious nature. The North Island Trunk Railway Loan will not he affected, and tha loan which is to be , laced on the market about March will be floated. Ho declares that Government will not have uny difficulty in raising the money.

A Bird-Nesting Story.—A somewhat remarkable story has been told U 3 of a discovery that was made in a minah bird's nest at Tikoransii one day last week (sayr. an exchange), the veracity of which has been vouched for by our informant. It appears that a young man was strolling through the bush at the above named place, and seeing a bird fly from its nest in the trees he resolved to examine it. On reiching the nest he found four young birds in it, and on examining the debris he noticed an envelope. Curiosity led him to take it from the nest, and to his astonishment he found it was a letter addressed to a young lady at Waitara, dated September 17, which had been opened and returned to the envelope. The assumption is that the letter was !os somewhere about Wuitara and ha i been picked up by the bird, aud carried by it to build its nest ie the woods at Tikorangi, a distance of about nino miles as the crow flies.

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BYNOPSI3 OF ADVERTISEMENTS,

In Bankruptcy—-Re Williais Howe, of Temuka, briokmaker. Tomuka Mechanics* Institute —Mealing of members on Wednesday evening next. Geraldine Public Sports—Annual meeting of those interested on Thursday next. J. Mundell and Go.—Publish entries for monthly stock sale on Wednesday next. C. Or. Tripp, Orari Gorge, Woodbsry— Wants shearers, fleece rollers and pickers, and odd hands on Fobruary 7th. W. S. Maslin—Sella horses, drays, oows, etc., on Wednesday next on aooount of holder of bill of sale, and for other olients 400 2 and 4-tooth sheep. Mogridge and Wiltshire, Drapers and Clothiers, Temuka—Announce that their sale will last fourteen days longer, and are now offering bargains in dress goods, flannels, clothing, booli, etc Davies and Murpby, Cash Drapers, Timaru —Advertise a few of the great bargains they are now offering at their great progressive sale; bargains in drapery, men's and boys' clothing, etc., etc.