LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2147, 8 January 1891, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

bCHoeL Treat and Danoe.—A school treat takes place at the Lower Uongitata School to-morrow, and a dance will follow in the evening.

Gapes' Vallbt School. A concert and dance in aid of J the funds of the school takes place in the Gapes' Valley School to-morrow evening. Gold. The Bank of New Zealand* shipped from ilokitika seven thousand' and twelve ounces of gold, valued at £28,000. The other bank return* are also very satisfactory. Wrestling,—ln our advertinißg columns Mr ». Thornley challenges Mr J. H. Uru te wrestle, Cumberland style, for £5 a-side. If the match is arranged a fine display of scientific wreetliDg should be witnessed. Dtjnedin Tailorksses' Union.—The Dunedin Tailoreasea* Union have presented their president, Mr D. Pinkerton, M.H.R., with a purse of 40 sovereigns as an acknowledgement of his efforts on their behalf.

R.M. Court, Geraldinb. At the R.M. Court, Geraldine, yesterday, Messrs R, H. Pearpoint aod H. W. Moore, J.P.'s, on the Bsnch, judgment was given for plaintiff in the casa of Geraldine Road Board v. Bayley, claim £ll 14*, for rates. Doo Registration.—in our advertising columns it ii notified that the Geraldine County Council has appointed Messrs F. W. Stnbbs, E. H. Brewer, W. S. Maslin, O. G. Bradley, F. Newinno and Julius Gall registrars of dogs within the county. The fee has been fiixed at 10J for eaoh dog. Geraldine TowH Board.—-The monthly meeting of this Board should have taken place on Tuesday evenieg, but only Messrs A. White, A, Sherratt, and J. Williams put in an appearance, and coDßequentiy the meeting had to be adjourned for want of a quorum. The meeting takes place on Tuesday next. Revenue. The following are the revenue returns for the nine months ending December 31st : Customs, £1,121,989; stamps. £41,184; post and telegraph, £39,211 ; property tax, £211,468; beer duty, £41,615; railway, £784,791; registration,etc.,fees, £29,903; marine, €14,101 ; miscellaneous, £28.202; territorial, £104597 ; land sales, £85,228 ; deferred payments, £85,739; total (including shillings and pence), £2,878,033. StrNSET.— On Tuesday, after an exceptionally hot day, the sky at suoset presented a most glorious appearance, and such as to draw the attention even of those who are not observers of natural phenomena. For upwards of an hoar the sky was illuminated by a lovely golden glow, veiled, however, by fleecy clouds, which gradually assumed a delicste greenish grey tint. The hills assumed an intense purple tint, and their summits were defined with the accuracy of a photograph. Th« scene was such that had it bean transferred lo canvas would have been considered an impossible effect. Edccational Institute.—The eighth annual Besnion of the Educational Institute commenced at Auckland on Tuesday morning with a large attendance, including representatives from the southern branch. Mr Harrison, the president, in his opening adores* repelled the charges of Godlessness made against the system. He referred to a number of authorities trying to tell teachers their business, but he supported the local government, and he pointed to America's attitude regarding the coat of education to show that New Zealand is not paying too much. He advocated th 9 abolition of the pupil teacher system, and the establishment of a training institution. He also recommended that tte functions of the inspector should be revised and enlarged, with a view more to inspection than examination. The address was warmly commended.

Temuka Floral and Horticultural Society. The second annual show in connection with the above society, which takes place to-day, promises to bo more than usually attractive. In spite of the very uDfarorable weather the entries are numerous, and some of the exhibits are said to be of unusual excellence. The miscellaneous exhibits and those in the needlework class will be particularly interesting, and we'l worthy of attention. The committee have made excellent arrangements for the ctmfort of visitors. Refreshments will be obtainable at a low rate, so that persons from a distance will have no occasion to hurry away. Mr Wood's quadrille band will "discourse sweet music" iu the evening, and give Dromenaders a chance of enjoying themselves to the utmost. A large attendance is confidently anticipated. A Curious Circumstance.—ln the course of Tuesday a little girl went into a fruit garden in Gloucester street, Christchurch, to pick gooseberries. The garden belongs to a house which is unoccupied. Ihe visitor noticed whit she took to be the head of a child, and towards evening she told her mother, who, with another worn in, paid a visit to the place. They were convinced that the girl was correct and threw a shawl over the object. The information they supplied led to a close investigation, but this lime, to the unfeigned surprise of the two women, the head was not to be found. B ood was noticed on the grass and on a piece of rope which had apparently been huog from a tree close by. An explaeatinn of this curious episode which has been offered is that some boys hung a dog with the rope and left the head in the gardea with the intention of causing somebody a fright, but having watched the women they afierwnrda removed the head, fearing punishment for craelty to animak—Press.

Thmttka. To*vn Board. The meeting »f the above board which should have been held last night was adjourned ont of aynpathy with the clerk, who has suffered a domestic beretveinant. Snow-drofping. The clothes-line thief is abroad once more in Ternuka, and consequently we adviae people not to allow clothes to remain out overnight. We hava heard of some instance of articles of considerable value being stolen from clothe* lines recently.

Athletic. —The selection committee of the Canterbury Amateur Athletio Club has choßan the following to represent them at the champion meeting at Auckland : D. Wood for the half mile, the one mile, and the three milei j J. F. Grierson for the half mile and mile ; EL S. Cocks for the walks ; W. J. Moir for putting the weight and the quarter-mile hurdles; H. W. Postlethwaite for the 120 yards hurdles, long jump, and high jump. No ■printer has been selected. Arxesiak Wells. Efforts are being put forth to get a supply of artesian water for the Ternuka district. Some time ago a fa* of those moat interested formed a company for the purpose of testing whether a supply of artesian water could ba got, and contrasted, with that object in view, with * Mr Osborne, of Christohurch. Mr Osborne and his men have bees working on Mr Guild's farm for the past two or three weeks boring for the water, and now they are down close on 200 feet. It is stid the water has already risen within a foot of the suiface, ( and consequently hopes ore entertained What the enterprise will prove successful. / Alarm or Fixe.—Some loose paper in the old bakehouse at the back of Thompson's butchery at Ternuka caught fire in some unexplained way on Tuesday evening, and caused an alarm of fire. The premises have bean for a long time unoccupied, and their destruction would not, as for as the appearance of the town ia concerned, have been altogether undesirable. However, there was considerable danger to other properties, and the prompt action of the brigade in turning eut and extinguishing the flames promptly is much to be commended. There appears just now to be a slight epidsmic of fires, this being the third that has occurred within the past two months. They are suspected to be the work of mischievous boys. IN Mbmoriam. —A brass tablet has just been placed in the Presbyterian Church, Geraldine, in memory of the late Mr Angus Macdonald. The tablet bears the inscription: "In Memoriam. Angus Macdonald, born Apriil Ist, 1822, died March 2, 1890, aged 68. One Of the first

members of this Cbnrcb." The tablet is erected at the north eud of the chuiou on

the left side of tbe rostrum, just above the family pew, and faces the congregation. On the other aide of the rostrum, alfo facing the congregation, has been placed, by the members of the Church, a while marble tablet, beaiing the words : "In Memoriam. Angus Macdonald, for 14 years elder in this Chuieh. Beloved for his benevolence and good works. Erected by his many friends." The letters are in black, and the tablet is

placed upon a black ground. The two tablets are very conspicuous in the Church, and are a fitting memorial of a man who was greatly honored and beloved. Geraldine F.H. and Industrial Association. —A meeting of tbe committee of the Geraldine Floral, Horticultural, and Industrial Association was held in the Oildfellowß' Hall on Tuesday evening last. There was a good attendance, and the chair was occupied by the president, Dr Fish. The bil-ince-sheet of the recent Spring Show was read, and it was considered very satisfactory. Letters were read from a oumbsr of porsons kindly consenting to act as iurigeß at the for incoming show of tbo Association. It was resolved that where 'varieties' of fruit and vegetables are mentioned in the oato'ogues it shouH be h«)d to mean 1 different kinds' of same. It was decided th»t all entries for the cottage garden

prizes must be made with the secretary, Mr A. Fiaher, on or before Friday, 9th. The secretary was instiucted to write to A. B. G. Rhodes, Esq., M.H.R., asking him (o open the show ; to obtain prices for printing entry cards ; and to advertise the show In the Gbralbihb Guardian, Timiru Herald, etc. It was further resolved (o ask a number of ladiea if they would kindly assist the association by making up a Dumber of flower buttonholes for children to dispose of duriog the show, in accordanca with Mr li. Y. Ferguason'd special priz*. Matters of a routine nature were dealt with and the meeting adjoorned until Mouday evening. Salvation Army, Geraldine. The members of the Geraldine Corps, with comrades from Ashburton, Woodbury, Temuka, Peel Forest, and elsewhere, had a great day at Peel Forest on Monday last on the occasion of the Geraldine Corps taking over the Peel Forest Outpost. A party consisting of Captain and Mrs Duggan (Temuka), Captain and Mrs Hildreth and Lieutenant Davis (Ashburton), Captain Rattray and Lieutenant Soott (Geraldine), accompanied by a number of soldiers from the different corps, left Geraldine at half-past fire on Monday morning for Peel Forest, and arrived at Mr Button's about a quarter past seven. After a good breakfast, for which the drive had given them splendid appetites, twenty-two of tho par'y made a start shortly after eight o'clock for the top of little Mount Peel. Only 18 of the party succeeded in reaching the aummit, the remaining six giving up when part of the height had been scaled. Six of those who reached the top succeeded in doing so in the excellent time of 2 hours 35 minutes, proving conclusively that some Salvationists at least have a considerable amount of staying power. The Army colors were taken up, and the standard, having been raised a kind of camp meeting and picnic combined was held. The party having returned to the foot of the hill another camp meeting and picnic was held, at which there were upwards of 150 people present. In tho evening a meeting and musical festival was held in the Scotsburn schoolroom, about 120 persons being present. Ac this meeting the Peel Forest Outpost was formally handed over from the Ashburton to the Geraldine Corps, the exchange having been made owing to Geraldine being so muoh nearer to the outpost, and consequently much better able to work it than Ashburton. During the evening soloa were sang by Captains Rattray, Duggan, Hildreth, Lieutenant Davis, and one or two soldiers. AeJreeses were given by Mrs Duggan and Cap!:. Duggan, Mr Flatman, and Captain lUttray. A very pleasant gathering was wound up with a firat-claes coffee supper. ,

Of One Opinion. The lnvercargill petition to the Governor praying that His Excellency will not sanction any further appointments to the Legislative Council at present has been signed by over 1000 electors.

Disease among Horses. —A siogalar mortality amongst horses has occurred in the Wuirarapa district during the post few weeks. The disease appears to be infections, but is unknown to veterinary experts.

The Weather in Ota«o. —News from I Dunedin state the high gales of last week have mide great havoc in the country districts among the orchards, but south of Dunedin the season otherwise has been a very good one. An Inquiry.—Two prominent residents of Auckland have been requested by tha Government to investigate the charges preferred against Dr Collins, of the Hospital, by ex-nurse Arnaboldi, and it is expected that both will consent to act. Tb Kooti.—Te Kooti and his followers, after spendieg Christmas and New Year with the Wairarapa natives, have left for their homes agaio. The visit has been an uneventful one, and Europeans and Natives have taken little or no interest in it.

Gbak Meat Compant.—At the annual meeting of the Gear Meat Company the report,reoommending a dividend of 10 per cent and a bonus of 2£ per cent, was adopted. The reserve fund now stands aJJEIO,OOO, insurance £8274, and £3657 >wSb carried forward. The directors were voted a bonus of £SOO in addition to ordinary fees. A Misbino Shit.—A nautical enquiry was held at Oamaru on Tuesday morning about the missing ship Dunedin. This vessel sailed on 20th March, 1890, and has net since been heard of. The evidence showed that she had a complement of 35 souls on board. No evidence was forthcoming to account for her disappearance, but the general opinion is that she was lost by collision with ice.

Thb Late Mr Sperret.—Tbe Premier has written to Mrs Mail, the only surviving child of the late Mr Sperrey, Property Tax Commissioner, stating that the Government had the fullest confidence in her late father, and believed that the shameful and ridiculous charges made against him by Mr Thomson, of Marsden, was without the slightest foundation. The Government thought a Royal Commission to inquire into the charges would not do the slightest good, but thoroughly appreciated nod sympathised with the wish of Mrs Mair to free the memory of her father from all suspicion of blame.

Chess Con«ress.—At the Chess Congress on Monday Hookham defeated Ollivier, Littlejohn beat Siedeberg, Barnes beat Brown, and Mouat beat Edwards. R. J. Barnes, of Wellington, with seven wins out of nine games, took the championship. On Tuesday Ollivier was defeated by Browu. Siedeberg (Dunedin) and Hookham (Christcburcb) therefore tied for second place, for which the prize is a trophy value £7 10a, but on the application of tbe Soaneborne Bystera Siedeberg took the prize with 63£ points, Hookham's score being 4£ points leas.

Each had six wins and thiee losses to his credit. Ollivier and Sexton camo next with five wins and four losses, but by the Sonneborne system the former takes fourth place. In the inter-island match the North defeated the South by 3£ games to I£.

Alleged Illegal Elections. A petition to upaet the election of Mr Joyce for Aharoa, on the ground that all polling places in the district should have closed at the same hour, instead of that at Lyttelton at 7 p.m. and the others at 6 p.m. has been lodged. A petition was lodged at Reefton on Tuesday afternoon by Mr John Drake against the return of Mr R. Beeves for Inangahua. Sir Robert Stout and Mr Free, of Reef ton, have been retained for the petitioner. The petition has been brought under the 29th clause of the Election Petitions Act, 1880, thus making the returning officer the respondent. The grounds are that votes disallowed should haye been allowed ; and other irregularities on the part of the returning officer are alleged. The petition will probably be heard in Nelson.

Teachers' Salaries. At the last meeting of the Timaru School Committee a member gave notice that he would move at next meeting :—" That the attention of the Board of Education be called to the anomaly which exists in the salaries given to the mala and femala teachers, and that the board ba requested to readjust its scale of payments so as to do common justice to the female teachers in its employment." He said it was a shame that a male nhould get so much more par annum than a female for doing exactly the same kind of teaching, and perhaps the female was the cleverer of the two teachers. The matter, an important one, lay entirely with the board.as it fixed the scale of salaries which were to be paid to teachers. Members generally expressed the opinion that lady teachers did not receive fair treatment. Sale op Thorou-gbrees.— The sale of the celebrated Sylvia Park Racing Stud at Auckland on Monday attracted a very large number of buyers. Among those present were Dr Ross, from Sin Francisco, Messrs W. R. Wilson and J. Crozier, of Melbourne; Mr Day, the wel-known Sydney vet.; Messrs J. D. Ormond, Goltan, and Douglas, of Napier; and Stead, O'Brien, and Butler, of Christchurch. The stallions were soli first. Fusilade was knocked down at 175 guineas to Mr W. Rathbone, of Hawke's Bay. The sale of Nordenfeldt caused a great amount of excitement. Started at 4000 guineas he was knocked down at 5600 to Mr T. Day, of Sydney. St. Leger was sold for 400 guineas to Mr L. D. Nathan. Hocchkiss was sold for 355 guineas to Mr T. Morrin. Mr Day bought Nordenfeldt on behalt of Mr S. Horndern, of Ketford Park, who is forming a stud farm. The stud mares were put up next. Mersey, the dam of Carbine, brought Mr W. R. Wilson, of Melbourne, being the purchaser. Mr O'Brien went as far as 2200. Pearl Ash brought 450 guineas. Wood Nymph (sister to Martini-Henry) 500, Tres Deuce 420, and others were bought by Mr W. R, Wilson ; Sylvia 125, and Onyx 300, Mr Morrin. Most of the mares had foals at foot, Mersey's being by Nordenfeldt. The highest priesd yearling was a olt by Nordenfeldt- Nelly Moore, purchased by Mr S. H. Gollan for 1050 guineas. The total sum realised was about £23,000. It is said that Mr Day was prepared to give £9OOO for Norden- 1 feldt. He has already received an offsr ) for the horse far above the amount paid. J

Island News. The mission vessel Southern Cross, which has arrived at Sydney from the Islands, reportß great mortality among the natives of (ho Gilbert Group, where ao epidemic of tneanles and dysentry had been ragicg. Eight cases of true leprosy have been discovered in the Penryho's Gronp. The natives of Hervey Group have beon suffering from la grippe, and a large number of deutbs occurred.

The Loniion Bellkinges,B and Faust Familt Combination.—On Sfcurday evening, the 10th inat., there opem at the Vo'uotoer Hull, Geraldine, -for the one night only an entertainment that should appeal to the instincts of all lovers of music. Those contributing towards the entertainment alluded to in the Faust Family of Musimianß, Comedians, and Pantomimists, and the Londoo Bellringern. The company have bat just closed a remarkably successful seanon in Christchuroh, where the performances have been mont; highly spoken of by the press of that city. The company is a particularly strong one, and the entertainment a decided novelty. Associated with the company is the emieent cornet soloist Herr Von Der Mehden, who ia said to be th® equal of the great Levy. The reputation that the members of this talented company have obtained, entities them to the patronage of the public of Geraldine and Temuka, who are not said to be backward in acknowledging sterling artictiu merit when it comes andor their notice. We would remind our readers that the scusod is for one nij;ht only, viz., Saturday, Jan. 10th. The company appear in the Tumults Volunteer Hall on the following Monday evening, staying for that night only.

SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS. S. Tborcley—Challenges J, H. Ura to wrestle.

W. G. Aipinall—Has lost wheel cap of dog orfc. H. B. Webster & Co.—lnvite tenders for harvesting oats. J. LaweoD, Poundkeoper—JMotice re impounded bay back pony mare, Geraldine County Council—Notice re fees for dog registration and lints of registrars.

Comer and Larcorabe—Funeral notice re the late daughter of Mr and Mrs E. Pilbrow.

London Bellriogsrs and Faust Family— Give entertainment in Volunteer Hall, Temuka, oo "Monday evening.

J. Mundell & Co.—Sell household furniture and effects at Temuka on Tuesday nest on account of Mr M. iSoannell.

A. E. (j. Rhodes, Solicitor, Christenurch —Notice ru all claims against the estate of the late G>. Westropp, of Opibi, schoolmaster.

T. & J. Thomson Drapers and Silk Mercere, Timsru—Notify the arrival of new goods from dome and purchase of clearing lines from colonial bouses ; enumerate specialities and invite inspection. Jas. Findlay, Blacksmith, etc., Temuka —lnvites early orders for the Deer in r Binder, as he has only a few left; great improvements this year; inspection and inquiries invited ; has beat twine and oils in stock at lowest prices.