LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1701, 21 February 1888, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

EAUKAruxA Licensing Bbnoh. —Only two nomination papers were received on Saturday last for persons to act on this Bench. Both papers, however, were informal, so that no candidates are now nominated. Exoubsion Tbain.—A* excursion train will run from Timarn to Ohrinohuroh tomorrow, picking up passengers at Temuks, Winchester, and Orari. Full particulars regarding the excursion and other train arrangements will be found in our advertising columns.

Geraldine Licensing Committee.— Ths poll for the election of five persons to form a Licensing Committee for the Geraldine district tabes place on Friday next. Messrs M. Connolly, W, Coltman, N. Dunlop, A. Fisher, H. N. Hiikens, W. S. Maslin, J. W. Pye, and G, Ward are the candidates.

Binder Trial. —Farmers and others interested are invited to witness a trial of the “Massey Manufacturing Company’s Light Steel Reaper and Binder,” which will take place at the Bireralea Estate (near the Woolshed) to-morrow at half-past one o’clock. Messrs Friedlander Bros, ara the sole agents for New Zealand. Thunderstorm. —A thunderstorm passed over the district on Sunday afternoon the fall of rain being exceptionally heavy. In the township the side channels of the streets were quickly filled, but, as tbo downfall did not continue long, soon cleared. Any imperfectly thatched stacks must have suffered to some extant. Yesterday was fine, though cold, and should the weather prove propitious to-day harvest operations will doubtless again be in full swing.

Sir Jtoius Yo»el.— Sir Julius Togel leaves for England by the Aorangi from Wellington on March Bth, and not by the lonic from Lyttelton. He will not address his constituents before leaving, but will resign the leadership of the Opposition, which it is expected will be offered to Mr Ballance, unless Sir R. Stout reenters political life. The ex-Tmsurer will be awny six months.

Presbyterian' Csueoh. There was a large congregation at the above church last Sunday at the morning service, when the Rev J. K. Elliott, of Wellington, preached a very forcible sermon on the necessity of leading a holy life. . The attendance in the evening was not so large, but the rsv. gentleman again preached a very eloquent sermon. The Rev. Mr Elliott has a very apt and telling way of illustrating his subjects, and the congregation was highly pleated with him.

PEESBIIBBIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.— At the Presbyterian General Assembly, now in session at Christchoroh, on Friday, a report was presented on the statistics for 1886, the reasen being that the census was issued in April, 1885, and by means of it the Presbyterians could form a better judgment of the adequacy of their church work than they could in the intervening years. In 1886 there were 103 churches; 106 other preaching places; 71 ministers in full charges j 13 without charges: attendants reported as 19,500 ; communicants 7330; Sabbath scholars 10,847; teachers 1126 ; Bible classes 1701 j money contributed for all purposes £31,445; for schemes of the church £959 ; for ordinary •ongregational purposes £22,125; for paying off debts and other outdde purposes £6600. The report complained of the largo proportion of non-church-goers among Presbyterians, the proportion varying in different districts. The report was adopted with a recommendation to ministers to be more prrticular in filling up the annual schedules, and to Presbyteries to overtake the noD-church-going population. An Uit»obxunate.—A young man, who gave hia name as Philip Charles P ato, gave himself np to Constable Scott on Sunday evening and said he had taken two bottles of laudanum, as he wished to do away with himself. On being asked his reason for so doing, he said he had formerly been an hotelkeeper in Oamaru, and he had sold out to a man who was unable to pay the purchase money. Plato was therefore unable.to meet his bills as they came due. Ee had purchased the laudanum in Oamaru. One bottle he said be had taken at 3 p.m., and the other at a quarter to eight. He had gone into the Cathedral and had a sleep during the service. The constable brought the mao to the, lock-up, and in his pockets were found two small empty bottles labelled laudanum. DrSymes was sent for and he examined Plato. Ha said that the man was not in any danger, provided he was kept from sleeping, as the quantity of tbe.drug taken had not been sufficient to do much harm.—-Press. South Ran«kata School.—A meeting of the South Rangitata School Commissioners wits held on Thursday evening last. Present—Messrs J. M, Naughton (Chairman), and H, Waller. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, A letter was read from the Board of Education, stating that on account of the annual returning of onethird of its members, it was necessary that the Commissioners should send to the Board the names of those gentlemen they wished to fill the vacancies. It was resolved to vote for Messrs R. H. Pearpoint, J. Talbot, and M. Gray. The Inspector’s report was then read • Standard V, Presented 2, passed 2; Standard IV., presented 6, failed 1, passed 4; Standard 111., presented 3, failed 2, passed 1; Standard 11., presented 3, excepted 1, faded 1, passed 1; S andard 1., presented 6, pass 3d 6 ; Preparatory Class, presented 8. Percentage of passes 55.5, percentage of failures Percentages of marks in class i•’ i ‘ ac\ „■'•vantage in additional euhvcts 40, pc- “ s d subjects 19. The Preparaco-7 pU PV! 4 ? a ° very well in sums, but they read inu...‘ tiuotly, and are weak in spelling and writing. The school has passed a very fair examination. The children are quiet and well behaved. Jas, Gibson Qoff, M.A., Inspector. The meeting then terminated.

Joined Tosbthbb.— The Siamese twins hare found a living counterpart at Birmingham, twin babv boys having been born joined together in such a manner that separation would mean death.

A Contrast. —The railway freights for grain are higher in New Zealand and lower in Victoria than in any of the other colonies. For 50 miles the Victorian rate is 5a fid, and the New Zealand 10s 2d. For 300 mil«s Victoria charges 19s and New Zealand 31s.

Timabu Gab Company— At the annual meeting of the Timaru Gas Company a dividend of per cent, was declared. This with the 6i per cent, paid in March lust makes a total of 12i per cent, for the year. The sum of £626 Us fid was carried forward. Ocbioub Matbbial nob a Weitino Desk. —Among the gifts lately presented to Prince Bismarck was an immensely massive and heavy writing desk, made of cannon balls, sent him by an English admirer. When he saw it the Chancellor exclaimed; “ God grant that cannon balls may be always as peacefully employed.” Cobbboiion.— Mr J. M. Nanghtoa has called attention to a mistake which oeourred in bis recent letter. He saye that although he stated in his letter he had given no written statement to Mr Brown with regard to the charge against him, he gave Mr Brown a verbal notice next morning, and he took it down in writing. A Find. —The North Otigo Times says; -"There are men out on the hills who occasionally make a rise in search for gold. Wa have heard of oae man who recently took out e£ a pocket in a gully on the Horse Bange seven ounces of gold. This was the result of a week’s work. Of course every week did not give a like result. Temuka Licensing Committee. On Saturday last Messrs A. R. Allan, J. Blyth, Job Brawn, A. W. Bnsor, A. Grant, J. Meyer, J. Talbot, and J. Winning were nominated for seats on th« Temuka Licensing Bench. A poll for tke election of five will be held on Tuesday next, 28tk inst. A Practical Protest. —Mr Fish, addressed his constituents at Dunedin on Friday night, adversely criticising the work of th* Government last session. A vote of confidence at the close was passed, and a purse of sixty-one sovereigns subscribed to make up for and protest against the reduction in the honororium.

An Obliging Prophet.— According to the Tauranga correspondent of the New Zealand Herald, Himiona, tbs East Coast prophet, has made arrangements for the postponement of the eruption of Ttrawera until the end of July. The cause is that his people may gather in their crops. The Natives still maintain Himiona’s authority and correctness. They are offering prayers morning, noon, and night. Thb Humble Bib.— Some bee owners are beginning to cry out against the humble bee, believing that it drives the common kind away, “Humble’* is a very inappropriate name for it, for since its introduction into the colony it has shown itself anything but humble, making its horns in birdnests, under the houses, and above houses. As a rule it builds its nest on the ground, but in New Zealand it has changed ite low abode for places higher, A Native Industry. A Taranaki paper states that natives in the vicinity of Paribaha and Rahotu hare started a local industry on their own account in the shape of manufacturing straw bats, or rather hate having the appearance of straw. They are made from the leaves of the c keikei,* the texture of which is said to be equal, if nob superior, to the Panama hat. It can be washed without any detriment. The natives are turning out large quantities, the prices ranging from two shillings to five shillings.

Oostiotbd Through a Haw.—A elater named Montrounel, has just been sentenced to bard labor for life, for the murder of a maiden lady named Leyecy, at Valenciennes. The murder was of a most brutal kind, tbs poor lady being discovered with her skull fractured. Montrounel was arrested on suspicion, be having previously worked in the house. The only testimony against him was one single hair, which was found sticking to a drop of blood on his clothes. A microscopic examination of this hair, and a comparison with that of the murdered lady, convinced the jury that Montrounel was the criminal, and he was convicted after a very lengthened trial.

A Suicide's Farewell.— John Jenkins, a married man with a family, had been in ill health and low spirits for some time, and left his house in Balmain street, Melbourne, bis clothes being found on the bank of the river the same day, with a note in one of his pockets as follow “My Dear Wife and Children,— I am sorry to do this, but I cannot help it, as I am not able to work, and cannot stand and sea you want. My complaint is a lingering complaint, and the suffering Ido Buffer ie unbearable. I done all I could for you while I was able, but now I am a burden to my myself and all of you, Goodbye, dear wife, and I bops you will bear up. May the Lord bless you all. Good-bye, J. Jenkins.” The poor man’s body was found in the Yarra.

Government Econojct !—Here appears to be a striking instance of economy The second lot of bricks for the Napier Gaol arrived from Wellington, says the J Daily Telegraph, by the Suva on Friday r kat. With 20« per thousand cartage from yard to steamer at Wellington, 60s per thousand freight, and another 20s for cartage from steamer to the gaol, makes the cartage £5 per thousand, with no mention for cost of the bricks. We would like to know who is responsible for this want of management, as good sound unbroken bricks could bare been placed in the gaol yard for £2 17s per thousand from the Napier kilns!

Shocking End or a Prisoner.—A shocking scene is reported by American papers to have bsen witnessed at Webbervile, Michigan, recently. The town lockup, a one-storey wooden structure, was discovered to bo on fire. Above the crackling of the flames cries were heard from an inmate of one of the colls. When the citizens arrived the doomed man was seen frantically beating the bars of his cell and crying for help. The pSople were powerless to rescue him, although many tried to do so, and in the pretence of the crowd he slowly roasted to death. Little by little the doomed man was forced back, but only when the bars became red hot did he abandon all hope of escape. The horror of the situation became such a frightful mental strain on the prisoner that be became insane, Tearing his scorched clothing off, he dashed himself agaiost the bars, and grabbed- the red hot irons in the vain effort to escape. An odor of burned flesh pervaded the air. Frantically cursing the crowd for not helping him, the roasting man rushed madly around the narrow enclosure, wh’le the spectators stood rooted b* horror to the spot. Gradually his cries grew weaker, and he was seen to sink to the floor, and soon all was over. The prisoner was Newh ill Tyler, thirtyeight years old. He had been imprisoned for gtricing a bo^ »n th« head.

The English Peerage.-—' The London Telegraph finds 113 out of 550 Peers worthy to sit in Westminster, The balance are black sheep, and they are hopelessly eccentric or congenitally stupid. The Telegraph suggests that the Peers pick out a small minority and let them do the legislating for the crowd. The Walking Wonder.— John o«en Snyder, better known as the “Walking Wonder," died recently in the United States. Snyder was impelled, so he said, by some mysterious force to walk constantly, and be took his meals while continuing his causeless tramp. He slept most generally in a ohair, and the minute he awoke he started walking.

Leaving New Zealand.— The New Zealand Times states that several Masterton residents are about starting to try their luck in California. It is not surprising that settlers should become disheartened under the policy of the party in office. People are leaving Auckland at the rate of 70 a week for other colonies. Yet the Aucklanders are satisfied with the worn-out policy of legislating in the interest of the big landowners.—Yeoaaan. Solicitors’ Fees. —The Justice Department has issued the following memo, to Resident Magistrates “ The attention of Government has on several occasions been called to a practice which prevails in some Courts of allowing claims for solicitors’ fees in connection with the issue of summons or hearing to be inserted m the bill of costs, particulars of the plaints or summons. Government is advised that such practice is wrong, as by it persons who desire to pay before the day of hearing must either pay an illegal demand or be put under the necessity of attending Court to dispute the item. The Minister of Justice, therefore, requests that Clerks of Courts be instructed that in no case is such an item to be included m the demand made by a summons.”

Singular Marriage. There was a mild excitement »t Torquay last week, says Truth, in consequence of the marriage of a clergyman, who has been beneficod in the neighborhood for many years, to a servant girl. The rev. gentleman, who is a widower and is nearer 70 than 60, was walking, about a month ago, along the strand in Torquay, when he was attracted by a tall, handsome, young woman of ]9 or 20, who was wheeling a chad's perambulator. It, was quite a case of love at first sight, for, having contrived to make the girl’s acquaintance, her rev. admirer proposed to her within a week, and now they have been married, to the utter horror of his relatives; but he was not ashamed of the match, as, until the marriage could ba solemnised, he was seen perambulating the streets with his youthful love, and the ceremony took place in one of the principal churches of the town, which was crowded by an amazed and deriding congregation. The pair left Torquay directly afterwards, to spend their honeymoon in London.

Bad Case op Drowning.— The Matsura Ensign gives the following account of the fatal accident by which Mr Murray Johnston, who with bis parents resided in Temuka for some years, lost his life at the head of Lake WakotipuThe friends of Mrs William Johnston, of Gore, will learn with deep regret that she has sustained a sad bereavement in the death by drowning of her eon, Murray Ecoles, at one time employed in the Bank of Australasia here. The drowning occurred on Thursday afternoon whilst the young man was attempting to cross the Rees River, at the bead of Lake Wakatipu. From a report of the inquest, held on Friday before Coroner 0, 0. Boyee, we gather that the deceased, who had lived with Mr F. Daniels, of the Alpine Club Hotel, had gone out several miles from Glenorohy to bring in some horses. He was accompanied by another man, who remained half a mile from the water to keep the horses from returning. Deceased said ho would cross the lagoon if the horses would swim, bat his mate did not think he meant it or he would have pressed him more than he did not to attempt it. The horses rushed into the lagoon at the mouth of the Rees river, and deceased followed them with his horse, which on entering the water became frightened and was swept on its back by the strong current flowing, Johnston being taken under at the same time. The horse did nob regain its footing for nearly a minute, and it then-swam back to the spit. Deceased, who must have felt the effect of being under water so long, swam the current towards the opposite bank from which a boat was being pulled. Deceased becoming exhausted called out, “ Pull, pull, for God’s sake!” but the man in the boat not being an expert found the current and strong breeze blowing rather much to contend with, and the boat was about a chain away from the deceased when he sank. The body was recovered about two hours afterwards. The jury returned a verdict of “ Accidental Death.’’ Deceased was about 21 years of age, and it is stated that hie movements in the water were seriously hampered by a waterproof coat he was wearing. The body was brought to Queenstown for interment. Two of deceased’s brothers are lessees of islands at the head of the Lake.

STB ANGUS LOSS AND RECOVERY OF A. Child. Yesterday’s Press records a singular story of the losing and recovery of a child at New Brighton. A Mrs Burt, who keeps a fancy goods shop in Christ* church, decided to take a house in New Brighton for a short time, and got a Mrs Parker to accompany her, the latter taking with her two children—a little girl and boy. On the fourth night (Thursday) of their stay at New Brighton, Mrs Burt says she dreamt that the boy had been lost in the sandhills, and that be was covered up with sand, with a lot of white paper about him. She woke, and on falling asleep, the dream recurred, but she also dreamed that the child was found by a butcher who was on horseback, and who brought the child borne on a saddle in front of him. Next morning she told Mrs Parker and others of her “dream,” and as a man passed, called out “ That is the butcher." On Saturday morning Mrs Burt returned to Christchurch and cautioned the mother to keep a strict watch over the boy. During the day be was lost, though the mother did watch him, and all search for him by the police and neighbors on Saturday proved fruit* less. On Sunday the search was continued, and during the afternoon a butcher, a Mr Pattrick, brought the child home. Mrs Burt says he answers to the description of the man she saw in her “dream.” There are some curious circumstances connected with the finding of the child. The impression on some people’s mind is that the child had been taken away by some one. A peculiar coincidence is that the child had not suffered in any way, nor did it even appear to be hungry, though it was missing for twenty-four hours. Mrs Burt, who, by the way, belongs to the Salvation Army, claims to be in communication with the “ spirits.” She frequently expressed the opinion that the child was “ over there,” pointing in the direction in which it was afterwards found.

Large Shark. —On lasb Saturday Mr Wyatt caught at the Milford beach a shark which measured 12 feet in length, and 3 feet 2 inches around the girth. A few days previously a shark 9 feet in length was caught. Home-Made Wine.—At Auckland a woman named Charlotte M'Kail was fined 10s and coats for selling orange wine, and a like amount for disposing of pineapple wine without a license. The district analyst stated that the former contained 28 per cent, and the latter 23 per cent, of alcohol.

The Remington-Lee Rule. The Wanganui Herald regards the abandonment of the Remington-Lee rifle by volunteers as the stupidest and greatest b under ever made. The cartridges ara old, and some have been corroded by the powder (!), but the Government have only to order a supply of freshly filled cartridges and all will be well. The fact is, it says, no rifle has ever passed so many severe trials successfully. Excited People.— The result of the licensing election for Ponsonby was received with three hearty cheers, and (says the Auckland correspondent of the Press) as soon as quiet was obtained, the Temperance party united in singing "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,” and most of those present uncovered their heads. There are only two hotels in the district, and they will be closed at the first meeting of the new Committee.

Sporting. The Victorian Amateur Turf Club’s Meeting was held at Caulfield on Saturday. The Oakleigh Handicap, of 250 bjvs, five furlongs and a-balf, was won by the Hon. W. A. Long’s ch c My Lord, by Epigram—Olive, 3 yrs, 9st 12lb, with Mr J. Harper’s br f Nectarine, by St, Albans—Horticulture, 7st, 2nd ; time, Imin Sjsec, The Hawkesbury Handicap, of 250 «ovs, one and s-quarter mile was won by the Hon. W. A. Long’s br c Monrhouse, by Moorthorpe—Geraldine, 7st 12'b, J. A Small Bait.—The Msrtinborough correspondent of • Wsirarapa paper chronicles the birth of an abnormally small Maori baby. Hs says t “ It is a bright little thing, weighing only Ijrlbs, its length being 7in. I am not joking; that is its correct weight and measurement, and as I held the wee thing in one of my hands (for I did not need beth) I can testify to tbs fact, and also that the child, to all appearances, is in the best of health. It has red hair and is dark in complexion—quits a little native, and has astonished the natives down this way. It kicks, squalls, and crows in quite a lively manner.

Thb Hessian Fit.—At the annual meeting of the philosophical Society, at Wellington, Mr W. M. Maskell, read a paper on the Hessian Fly, sent from the Bangitikei district. He said he had subjected the specimen to careful microscopical examination, and expressed the opinion that it was the true Hessian Fly or “ Corn Scourge.” Furthes examination proved that ao sooner did the fly make its appearance than it was attacked by parasitic enemies, which be oped would greatly assist in keeping it in check. This insect Was perhaps the wont pest that had arrived in the colony. As a means of eradicating the pest, be suggested that when a farmer observed indications ef its presence in his crops he should oat the stubble as long as possible and then bura it, after which the debris shoud be buried as deep as possible. Father is Getting Well. My daughters say, "How much better father is since he used Or. Soule’s American Hop Bitters, He is getting well after his long suffering from a disease declared incurable, and we are so glad, he used your Bitters.” A lady of Booheiter,N,Y.—Utica Herald.

Baxter’s Lung Preserver has gained great popularity in this district as a speedy and effectual remedy in the treatment ot Cottohb, Golds, Bronchitis, and othet chest and throat complaints. Bead advfc. and try it. SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS. Friedlander Bros.—-Notice re trial of reaping machine at Rivenlea to-morrow. K. P. Gray—Will sell cattle, sheep, horses, implements, etc., at Temuka on Friday next. White aid Co., Solicitors, Geraldine—Have money to lend on freehold security. W. Wills, Deputy Returning OfficerNotice re Temuka Licensing Committee election.

0. E. Sberratt, Returning Officer—Notice re election of Licensing Commit tae for Geraldine Town District,

N. Dunlop and Co., Manchester House, Geraldine Notify that haring receired adyioes from home of large shipments of winter goods they intend to hold a six weeks’ clearing sale to make room for their winter goods; are able, as they import direct, to compete with any house in Canterbury; giro quotations for a few lines.