LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2164, 17 February 1891, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Coal.—The coal shipped from Wastport for the week ending Saturday was 4970 tons.

Good Profits.—The Aucklaad Sunday School Union have a net profit of £7B upon the year's work, Parliament.—An ex traord inary Gazette issued on Saturday afternoon further prorogues Parliament from February 26th to Thursday, April 9:h. Swimming.—At the swimming tournament held at St. Clair baths, Dunedin, on Saturday, W. Crow, of Dunedin, won the 100 yards championship. W. Bines, of Auckland, was second. Kakanui Relief Funds. The subscriptions in aid of the Kakanui funds up to the present time exceed £230 An entertainment by the London Bel'ringera at IrivercsrgilLrealised £lB. Gbkaldine . Stock Sale.—This Bale cakes plase to-morrow, and in our advertising columns Messrs J. Mundell & Co., H. B. Webster & Co., and Cox and Guinness announce a number of entries.

A Message 10 Edison.—Sir George Grey spoke into the phonograph, now being exhibited at Auckland, a message for Edison, the inventor, telling him that the people of New Zealand regarded with esteem and gratitude one who had rendered such vast services to man. Alleged Libel.—The Rev. f. J. Wills, an Anglican clergyman of Opotiki, Auckland, has been committed for trial on a charge of libel preferred against him by Lewthwayte, late head teacher of the Opotiki District School. A ±sig Contract —The Midland Railway Company have given Stratford and Blair, saw millers, the contract to cut 2,000,000 of black and white pine flitches for exportation. The timber will be cut at the mills at Callaghan, Snowy Creek. Gold. —Two new parties have struck rich g;ld at the rush near Hokitika. Mi liatjton and party, near Wood's on Ward's line, got good payable dirt when down 60ft. This proves two leads on that line, one at 60ft and one at 90ft. They wi 1 sink to work the lower lead first. The .Population. The estimated population of the colony, exclusive of Maoris, was on the 31st December last 630,781, and of Maoris, according to the last census, 41,969. The excess of European births over deaths during 1890 was 12,284. The excess of departures over arrivals was 1782.

Hig Steamers.—The Union Company are having two sister ships to the Taiinui built, and these are expected to arrive in the colony about July. The capacity of each will be about 1250 tone. New eagines have also been imported for tbe Wakalipu,

Standard Insurance Co. The Standard Insurance Company rsports that the total income for the year amounts to £89,254, and the expenditure to £73,963. The directors recommend : 7£ per cent dividend, absorbing £2812 ; to ba carried forwurd to reserve fund,£40 ft o; to carry forward to next year £5666.

County Council and Harbor Board Elections. R.tep*yers are reminded that candidates fur the vacant seats on the IGeraldine County Council and Timaru Harbor Board, caused by the death of Mr R. A. Barker, must be nomioated with the respective returning officers by noon fco-morroiv, or as sooa thereafter as possible. Cricket. —On Saturday next a match will be played between teams representing McUaskill'a Winchester Woolworks and the Temuka CO., Messrs Hayhurst, Bryara, and Dignan being barred from playing for the local club. The teams will appear in Thursday's issue. It is hoped that the match against the Colonial C.C. will be played on the Sa urday following, as it will be the last day on which cricket can be played previous to the ground being broken up. A match was played in Timaru on Saturday between teams representing the Timaru and Oamaru clubs. The weather was wretched, and the game resulted in a draw in favor of Timaru. The scores were : Timaru, First innings 114 ; Oamaru, for five wickets, 14. Federation.—ln an interview, speaking regarding the Federation Conference, Sir George Grey said he had always been working for Australian federation, but for the present he thought New Zealand should remain out. If this colony joined it would be an embarrassment to Australia itself. A federation of all the English speaking races was the form he moat approved of. Under such a scheme each English speaking nation would continue to arrange its own internal affurs. Such a federation proposil vould be likely to lead to changes in the constitution of the colonies. It seemed to him that in the event of such a federation the question of defence would be effectually settled. The Ocean Mail Services.—The e.s. Monowai, rith English mails of 24th January, left San Fraac sco for Auckland two days late. —The Postimster-Geoeral

h*s arranged that the first San Fraocisco miil under the accelerated 33 stem eh ill leave Auckland by the R.M.S. Mariposa on the 28. h instant instead of the 23rd, as set down in the origioal time-table. As regards future sailing dates, nothing will be definitely fixed until the Government have received an aoswer from the direct shipping companies as to whether they are prepared to so alter their time that tbe services will be kept up.—A cable message received by the Union Steim Ship Company states that the R.M.S. Monowai had returned to port owing to her thrust block having carried away when 650 miles out. It is expected that a new shaft will be tilted and the steamer resume her voyaga on the 22nd inst.

Temuka Kjflys.—The Mioister of Def«nce has accepted Mr J. T. M. Hayhurst's resignation of the captaincy of the Temuka Rifles. Meeting op Creditors.— The aeoond meeting of the creditors of Mr B. B.»yley will be held at the Deputy Assignee's office, Timuru, next Thursday, at 11 a,m. The bnsinesa is advertised as important. Timaru Harbor Board —At the request of a number of ratepayers Mr George Stumbles, the wel'-known contractor, has consented to be nominated for election to the Timaru Harbor Board.

Wesleyan Church, Temuka. Mr J. Knott preached at the Weileyaa Church, Temuka, on Sunday morning and evening. There were good congregations at each service, and the preacher mide a very favorable impression. Removal.— Constabe Egan, who for the past 18 months has been stationed in Temuka, has been transferred to Oamaru, and will enter the police office there. Constable Egan has proved himself a very painstaking officer, and his removal is to be regretted. Presbyterian Cliuroh, Temuka. The services at the above church on Suod»iy last were conducted by Uih Rev. Mr Watson, who in the morning delivered an impressive sermon from Jamas iv,, 8. There were large congregations at morning and evening services. A service was also held at Waitohi. St. Patrick's Day Sports.—Members of St. Patrick's Day Sports Association are reminded that a general meeting will be held in the Bush Hotel, Geraldine, this evening, when office-bearers will be elected and a programme for the forthcoming sports meeting arranged. We hope to see a large attendance. John Uotoh's Orations. Mr J. Knott, the celebrated temperance lecturer, of whose ability as a speaker the leading papers have spoken in such glowing terms, will deliver a number of the late John dough's addresses in the Oddfellows' Hall to-morrow and Thursday evenings. The admission is free, aod a collection will be made to defray expenses. Mr Knott speaks in Temuka to-nght. There shou'd be large attendances at each meeting.

The .New Hebrides.—An interesting meeting will be held in the Presbyterian Church,. Geraldine, on Wednesday evening. Mr and Mrs Wutt, of the New Hebrides Islands, will give an occount of their work during the last twenty-two years. We understand that they have a deeply interesting story to tell. Mr Watt will pive illustrations of his work, and Mrs Watt will sing a hymn in the native language. Members of the other Ohurcbeß are cordially invited to be present. Mr Watt will give an addross in the Temuka Presbyterian Church this evening, illustrating it with an optical lantern. Mr Watt will also sing a native hymu^

Something like a Sunflower.—Mr A. White, of Geralrliue, has growiog in his garden a snbfhwer that is worth talking about, ooae of your little ten-inch one 3, such as tlioso grown in other districts. Mr White's ftawer measures no less than twelve inches across the seed part, tha full diameter of the flower being seventeen iochoa. The plant iisalf is about eight feet high, is exceptionally well developed, and his but the one flower. The seed was obtained from Mr W. U. Slack's garden, Woodside.

A Southland Divorce Case. After a hearing extending over thre9 days in the Divorce Court, the petition for judicial separation by Mrs Noble, wife of a farmer, was granted, the jury having answered in the affirmative whether the respondent had been cruel to his wife. The evidence was moat contradictory, that for the petitioner being that she was a much-injured woman with a brute of a husband, while respondent's witnesses said she was a virago ani responsible for ail the domestic troubles. They have been married over thirty years. There is no family.

Sir Herrules Robinson on Federation. —Sir Hercules Kobinson, writing to Sir Henry Parkes on the ques'ion of Federation, says that be considers that the Customs tariff and other difficult points mußfc be left to the Federal Parliament to / deal witb. He apprehends that it wouH I be impossible t© have a uniform tariff I beforehand, but by a give-and-take poUoj / the Federal Parl'mmeot coald easily come I to a decision which would be acceptable Ito all. He concludes : '* Perhaps New I South Wales would hare to adopt a Jifctje protection, and little as I like protection it would be a cheap price to pay for the union," Auckland Hospital Enquiry. The hospital enquiry commenced on Thursday before Sir M. O'Rorke and Dr Von Mirbach. Mr Reea appeared for Miss Arnaboldi ; Mr Cooper for Dr Collins ; Mr Cotter for McKenzie's friends ; and Mr o'Meager for Berry's son. Nurse Arnaboldi was examined at length, the commissioners not accepting her previous evidence on the ground that she had been questioned bb an expert without showing a qualification to give expert evidence. The lasted from 10.30 to 1p m. The statements are substantially the same as made before the previous commissioners. There is a large number of witnesses and the enquiry may possibly last several days.—On Saturday i some nurses who gave evidence deposed that the two patients, about whose treatment the complaints were made, appeared to have been properly and oarefully treated. Dr Collins is to be examined on I Monday. The KakaNui.—The Hinemoa arrived at the Bluff on Saturday. Captain Fairchild reports having made the circuit of

j the Campbell, Auckland, and Snares | Islands, and searched every nook and corner in them, but without finding tha slightest trace of any wreckage on them. I There can therefore now be little doubt that the Kakanai has gone down with all hands, the one chance remaining that her people may have been rescued by a homeward bound ship. The party who have been down surveying the lighthouse site on the Snares discovered undeniable traces of a wreck there, probably of an outward bound ship. The wreckage, Captain Fairchild reports, is in a sort of cave on the westward eide of the Snares, and from the quantity of wreckage in this cave it would seem as if a ship had gone ashore there and all hands been lost. Among the wreckage was a topmast, topsail yard, and halyards attached, quantity of candles, and a teak gun carriage marked "Mis +." The wreckage may have been on the Snares for some years past, but it is still in good preservation. No evidence was I discovered to indicate whit ship the ' wreckage was part ofi

Grown Lands.—Allotments in Cioniugton Village Settlement, near the Oive, will be open for selection on and after to-morrow, Tempbbakob Leotitbes.—-Last nigbt Mr Knott, of Auckland, lectured on '• Temperance " at fcbe Wesloyan Ghurch, Temuka. His address which was chiefly a reproduction of one of J. B. Gough's celebrated orutions, was well received. There was a large attendance. The Rev. T. A. Hamilton oocupi d the chair. Mr Knott will leoture again this evening. A fuller report will appear in our next.

Supreme Court:, Dtjnedin. • The calendar for the criminal sittings at Dunedio, which begin on March 2nd, comprises eleven charges, including forgery, indecent assault, memslaughter, attempted rape, breach of the Bankruptcy Act, and the stickmg-up at Rockland a Station. There is also a charge of libel against the proprietor of *he Otago Workman at the instance of Mr H. D. Ball, of Wellington. Government Pro]?B3Als.—Mr McKenzie, Minister of Lands, addressed a meeting at Manaia on Saturday. In bis speech he intimated that a small loan wis not neqessstry for opensng up lands. The money would be taken out of trust funds, such as the Government Insurance and Poat Office Savings Bank accumulations, for which there was no outlet. There could be no better security than land on whiob to advance this money. Mosey for pubic buildings acd publio school buildings would have to be pud ont of our own resources instead of being borrowed. While not objecting to land being sold it must be sold on terms which would prevent it being bought up for speculative purposes, An attempt would be made to reform the Upper House, making the term of nomination «even or ten years. He has now gone to Opunake. Mr Seddon arrived at Hawera on Saturday and delivered an address last night.

PfIESBYXERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.— At the Presbyterian General Assembly at Chrietcburch on Friday the Moderator and Mr Craig were appointed deputies to the next Otago Synod. The Rev. W.Gillies gave a report on the widow and orphans fund. The income for the year was £361, and expenditure £l2B. The capital funds amounted to £4867. A petition fiom the Westland Preßbytery, asking that the Rev. Mr Howell be received into the Church, was granted. The report on tbe aged and infirm ministers' farad was read. It showed that there were 28 ministers and 26 congregations subscribiae a total income for the year of £370. The expenditure was £BO, and tbe capital fund amounts to £2055. The Freibyterian Assembly resumed its fit* ting yesterday morning. A Maori Minion report of an encouraging nature was read. The missionaries Messrs flonore and Wileon had prosecuted theiir labon with great success. They are ooirdially received by the natives, their meetings averaging twenty to thirty and sometimes 100. Reference was made to the waning of Hauhauism. Mr Wilson on aooount of ill-health had resigned and Mr Fletcher wail appointed to succeed him. The committee recommend that Mr Wilson receive an annuity of £2O for three years. An earnest appeal was therefore made for inoreased liberality on the part of the ohuroh. The Treasurer's statement showed the funds htd increased, but more money was required. The report on the Chinese Mission was read. It showed that £l2 had been ex. pended in the purchase of Chinese tracts and testaments, and that 800 different sheets and books had been purchased, and that a considerable portion had been distributed on the West Coast and were largely and carefully re id. It wag hoped the ohuroh would soon see its way to appoint a Chinese missionary. A deputation from the Ministers' Association was cordially welcomed, and addressed tbe Assembly. The report on Sabbath Sohools was read. Mr Doul, regretted that so few schedules were returned—only 49 out of 90. These showed 98 sohools. 800 teachers, and 8573 scholars. It was proposed to have an examination of the sohools oonneoted with the ohurch. There are 12,031 volumes in the libraries of the 49 schools. A sum of £l9l was raised for missions, and £867 raised for libraries and other school purposes. The eoholarship committee reported that Alex. Morrison secured the Divinity Homer villa scholarship after an exoellent examination. An orerture on scholar ships from the Wellington Preßbytery was read and discussed. The orerture urged l:he necessity for increasing the scholarships, so that many men of promise may be encouraged to enter the ohuroh.

f SYNOPSIS Off AOVERI'ISEMENI'S. j J. Mundall & Co.— &ddit'u>oaA entries / for Qeraidiae stock sale. I Gteraluuio County Council notice to owners ef unregistered dogs. ABpinall & Co., Temaka, Flour Mills— Want 10 mea with picks and shovels. A. E. Cox and E. H. Guiuneßs—Entries for stock sa!e S)<. Gernldirie to-m>>'row. Temperance A'idreas — By Mr J. Knott in Teruuka Wesley\n Church this evening ; Gough's great orations. Temuka Presbyterian Church—Hev. Mr w att will give an. address on the New Hebrides this evening. Presbyterian Church, Geraldine—Lecture upon the New Hebrdea Mission by the liev. W. Watt on Wednesday next. D, M. Ross, Deputy Assignee—Second meeting of B. Biyldy's creditors in Timaru oa Thursday morning; iuipoifcant business. 0. SdcCaekil), Public Bakery, Temuka— Wants it known that he has a choioe assortment of biscuits, confectionery, fruit, stationery, etc., on eale. N. Dunlop & Co., Gera'dine Ate holding a great cheap sale for 21 days only, commencing on Siturday next. Duriog the sale will dispose of every description of drapery, boots, shoes, &c, at about iiu £ the uau ii price. T. & J. Thomaoe, Drapers aod Silk Mercers, Timaru—Notify that they open this week 5 cases dress tweeds, fltonsls, blankets, wools, &c, from colonial mills ; will shortly be opening 43 cases und bales seasonable goods from Home, of which due notice will be guven.