LOCAL & GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2455, 24 January 1893, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL.

Temuka Stock Sale—The fortnightly sale of stock takes place at Temuka today.

The Cheviot Hills Estate.— An Order-in-Couucil authorising the acquisition of the Cheviot Hills Estate for £260,220 is gazetted. Railway Revenue.— The Railway Commissioners believe that their estimate of gross revenue for the year, viz., £1,140,000. will be exceeded.

Death of Mr H. Driver.— Mr Henry Driver, formerly member for Roslyn, and until recently starter for the Dunedin Jockey Club, died early yesterday morning after a lingering illness.

Typhoid. —Three of the crew of H.M.S. Katoomba were admitted to the Wellington hospital on Friday suffering from typhoid fever. Seaman Johnston, belonging to the same vessel, who had been ailing for some time, died on Friday. He will be accorded a military funeral. Temuka Rifles.— The members of this corps are reminded that a Government parade takes place to-morrow evening, when all arms and Government property will be inspected by the officer commanding the district. Volunteers who cannot a-t&eud must send in their rilies and accoutrements for inspection. Wellingos Anniversary.— There was lovely weather for the Anniversary at Wellington yesterday. The Friendly Societies had a demonstration on the Basin Reserve, to which a large procession marched early in the morning. The Talune took between 300 and 600 excursionsts to Ficton, attracted, by the prospect of a smooth run across the straits.

Ckicket. —A cricket match, will be played on Thursday next, between the first ikeWPJ of the Colonial and Temuka clubs. A full tendance at practice to-night is requested."’’f fee following will represent Temuka:—Cox, jflayfeijrsfe ow ' Gillespie, Early Dignan, Cutten, Da*#, Brown, Findlay, Anderson. Emergencies, bu-vfoj;, AJ obefW, Morton. Thi-; WhiTlfPR —After the wet weather' of the previous eight days line weather set in last Friday, a»d has continued so ever since. Things were beginning to look very serious when the weather changed; had the rain continued another week a great deafof harm would have been done, but as it was it did no harm worth speaking of, while it did an immense amount of good. The grain is now ready to cut and farming operations are going on everywhere, and if the fine weather continues for three weeks all danger will by that time be over. Farmers would do well to remember that there is always great uncertainty about the weather, and ought to go to work as energetically as possible to save their crops. They will njake a great mistake if they rely too much on the weather. Serious Accident.— A Blenheim telegram says “ A serious accident occurred in the Awatere district on Sunday, by which Messrs Mowat (2). and Misses Johnston (2), were thrown over a bank 15 feet high. The horses shied and jumped clean over. Kenneth Mowat sustained a severe fracture of the skull, and had his arm and some ribs broken. Blood is issuing from both ears, and it is hardly likely that he will recover. A, Mowat had bis collarbone and ribs broken, Miss Johnston a nasty scalp wound, and her sister a contusion on the hip. Owing to the difficulty of communication the news only reached town late on Sunday. Dr Alexander returned this (Monday) morning and reports that the last three are out of dinger."

Fire. —A boarding house of 15 rooms, owned by James Scott, was accidentally burned at 2 o’clock on Saturday morning at Palmerston South. Insurances amounted to £SOO.

Street Pavements. — The Wellington City Council are taking steps to inquire into the cost of laying and maintaining wooden blocks on the streets, as compared with macadamised roads. Amalgamation.— At a meeting of the Southland Farmers’ Co-operative Association, representing three hundred and sixty farmers, it was agreed to amalgamate with J. G-. Ward’s Farmers’ Association of New Zealand. New Year Greeting. —The staff of this paper wish to acknowledge the receipt of a handsomely got-up New Year’s Greeting Card from the employees of Messrs J. Wilkie & Co., and in return wish them a “ Happy New Year.”

Garden Fete and Bazaar.— There is a great deal of talk at present in Geraldine, anent the Garden Fete and Bazaar to be held on Mr C. G. Tripp’s grounds, Orari Gorge, on Thursday next. If the weather is fine there will, no doubt, be a large number of persons leave Geraldine for the gorge.

Swimming Tournament.— At a swimming tournament at Dunedin on Friday the 1 00yds race was won by W. Crowe with R. Grimmett second the time was Imin 22sec. The 200yds race was won by R. Grimmett, with W. Crowe second, the time being oinin 2 l/ssec. The 400 yards event was won by W. Crowe, with H. Maitland second in Smin 50sec. There was a good exhibition of under water swimming. The sea was very rough. Oamaru District Court. —At the sitting of the District Court, Oamaru, on Friday, E. A. Proctor, a hotelkeeper, was charged with assaulting a young woman with intent. The story of the girl was not borne out by-the principal witnesses, and the jury returned a verdict of not guilty, adding that the accused left the dock without a stain on his character. The case against James Kleeber and James Sullivan for assault was closed, but the jury could nbt agree, and finally they were discharged, and the case held over till next session. The Governor. The Governor and Lady Glasgow visited Kaiapoi Pah on Friday. The Maoris presented an address. of welcome and referred to their old grievances, remarking that they had received no reply to the address presented to Lord Onslow for transmission to the Queen. Lord Glasgow promised to communicate with Lord Onslow on the subject. Lady Glasgow" presented the prizes to the native school children. The Governor and Lady Glasgow left for Waimate on Saturday, where they were the guests of Mrs Studholme. The Governor and suite arrived at Oamaru from Waimate yesterday morning. There was no official demonstration. The party were entertained by Mr John McLean (Kedcastle), and left for Dunedin in the afternoon. The Invercargill Murder. —lt is possible that proceedings will be taken by Captain Sundstrom, of the steamer Invercargill, against the witnesses at the inquest on the child Byrne, who deposed that Sundstrom dragged the woman by the feet and shoved her. On the appearance of Sundstrom’s denial in the press these witnesses rejoined with a letter, in which they reailirmed the truth of the evidence. In the press association telegram re the inquest, the agent regrets that it was stated tnat a witness deposed that Sundstrom pushed or “ kicked ” the woman. The word should have been “ shoved.” The message was made up from a viva voce statement; hence the error. A Lenient Magistrate. —At the Police Court, Dunedin, on Friday, Catherine Clifford, said to be the wife of the Hon. W. Clifford, formerly a runholder in Marlborough, was charged with stealing a diamond ring valued at £l3 and £ll in money, at Grey mouth. Accused pleaded guilty, and her solicitor made an appeal to the Bench, pointing out that she had come to the colony to visit her parents, and when on the eve of leaving the colony she succumbed to the temptation placed in her way. It was a fit case for the Probation Act, but if she were placed under probation she would have to remain in the colony, which would be the worst thing that could happen to her. The Bench convicted the accused and ordered her to come up for sentence when called on. Missing. —ln connection with the disappearance of Colonel McLauchlin, a passenger from Sydney to Auckland by the steamer Miowera, a Wellington passenger states that Colonel McLauchlin was making a voyage to see if sea-sickness might afford relief from an internal complaint which had baffled the Queensland doctors. Two days before the ship arrived at Auckland he saw Colonel McLauchlin, who complained that he had obtained no relief and feared that he would not see Auckland. Next’ morning he saw Colonel McLauchlin, but missing him made enquiries and was told that he was all right and being attended to, but the officials who made this statement were apparently referring to another passenger who was in the hospital. Colonel McLauchlin showed no signs of wandering in his mind.

Drowning Oases. —Mr J, Heriot, the driver of the Westport mail coach was drowned while attempting to cross Larry’s Creek on Saturday. The three horses were drowned, the coach completely wrecked, and the mails carried down the river. A passenger in the coach declined to make the attempt to cross, and witnessed the whole occurrence. Heriot was a general favorite. —William Heath, aged 13, was drowned on Saturday morning at Shelly Beach, Auckland, while bathing. The current carried him beyond his depth.—At 6.30 on Saturday morning information was given to the police that a woman named Fanny Childs, 73 years of age, and one of the oldest residents in Lyttelton, had been found drowned in a concrete tank. Deceased had been bed-ridden for a long time through rheumatism and other complaints. On Friday night she was in very low spirits, so one of her daughters slept with her. The daughter woke at five o’clock, missed her mother, roused a brother, and they searched till they found the body at 6.30 a.m. in the tank, which is 13 feet deep and full of water. Deceased’s husband died about two years ago. The pair celebrated their golden wedding four years ago. Much sympathy is felt for the family, who are all grown up, the sons being nearly all in business in Lyttelton and much respected. Chicago. —Private letters received from Chicago by last San Franciso mail state that great preparations are being made for the approaOutyg World’s Fair, which is to be opened in April. 4 number of Esquimaux are already camped on the grounds, and in summer these squat Inhabitants of the far north will have frozen apartments provided for their comfort. “ Uncle Tom’s Cabin ” is to be produced on a magnificent scale, apd jjhc characters and scenery will be represented with the closest possible fidelity to the originals. Agents have been sent to Sonth Africa to brino- over a batch of negroes, who are to live and act at the fair grounds just as they do in their native wilds. The writer (a native of Dunedin) continues“ We had our first snowfall a day or two ago (ejj.d of November), and as it froze directly it reached the ground, the sidewalks became dangerous to font passengers. I don t know how the people would get along if the city were hilly like Dunedin. The temperature has already touched 6deg. below freezing point, and it is expected to drop fOdeg. lower during the winter. We still have plenty of the rough element here, and it is on the increase, as all the thieves, thugs, and sharpers are coming into the city for the winter. Shooting and stickingup are daily and nightly occurrences. A man mounted on a big bay horse has been terrorising the city in broad daylight by pointing two revolvers at them and demanding of them to throw their money down on the ground, which in every instance they very quickly did. The man wears a velvet mask, and the police have as yet been unable to capture him.”—Otago Daily Times.

The Wellington Asylum Case— Dr Hacon informs the Post that he has sent a letter to the Secretary of State for the Colonies in reference to the Ah Ghing case, asking for the appointment of an English commission to enquire into the matter, as deceased was an alien.

Geraldine Flower Show.— We again remind our readers of the Flower Show to be held in the Volunteer Hall, Geraldine, on Friday next. The secretary will be in attendance at the hall to-morrow evening between 6 and 10 o’clock to receive entries for the show. Entries close this evening. The Volunteer Force. —According to a return just furnished to the Government by Colonel Hume, the strength of the Volunteer force on December 31st last was as follows : —5 Cavalry corps, strength 309 ; 10 corps Mounted Rifles, strength 543 ; 16 Naval Artillery corps, strength 1185; 11 Artillery corps, strength 627 ; 3 Engineer corps, strength 177 ; 58 Rifle corps, strength 3-168 ; 1 Honorary Reserve corps, strength 57 ; total, 105 corps, strength 6367. In addition, 39 Cadet corps, strength 2153. The Allotment System. — The Daily News (Nov 7) says :—“ As a result of the year’s work of the labourers holding allotments under Lord Carrington at Spalding, it is calculated that in a thirty three-acre field the net profit, after paying all costs of seed and hired labour, was £2ll. The highest net profit was £8 13s 3d on an acre of potatoes, and the lowest profit £3 9s 9d on an acre of barley. The average profit was £6 Bs, and this, taken as the average of the whole, which it is believed to fairly represent, gave the £2ll as the total profit. The labourers occupying the land have passed a vote of thanks and good wishes to Lord Carrington, and a desire is expressed to securre further land from him.” A Narrow Escape. A sensational incident occurred at W. M’Culloch’s Woodlands station, Victoria, on the Bth inst. During a thunderstorm a young man named Fred Vindy, was milking cows in a yard in which there were nine or ten cows and one bull. There was a wree in the yard, which was struck by lightning and splintered, leaving o nly a splintered stump 4or sft high. Two cows were killed instantly, a third was pinned to the ground by the limbs of the tree, and the bull was wounded, evidently by th flying fragments. One cow was thrown over the fence, Vindy was thrown a considerable distance, and rendered unconscious, and the second man who was running to the tree for shelter, was within 20 yards of it when the tree was shattered.:—Otago Daily Times.

Rough-And-Ready Surgeky. —ln the course of a slander action recently heard at the Supreme Court it transpired that on one occasion the wardsman at the Arrow Hospital, in the absence of the doctor, undertook the setting of a fractured leg. The wardsman, an old sailor, admitted that he had never tried to set a leg before, but that after waiting some hours he tackled it, and as it proved, set it properly. When the case was closed and the parties were waiting for the verdict, the defendant’s counsel, Mr J. F, M. Fraser, asked the witness referred to how on earth he managed to do what is commonly supposed to demand surgical skill, and he got his answer with sailor-like promptness. “ Well, you see,” said the wardsman, “ I gived the patient half-a-glass of brandy, took half-a-glass of brandy myself, had a buck at it, and the job was done.” With the exception of the administration of the medicinal stimulant to patient and operator the method was much the same as that of splicing a brace, and a good firm job was made. You can’t put a sailer much out with little things, and even as amateur surgeons they are evidently not likely to stick at trifles.—Otago Daily Times.

The Rifle Association Meeting.— During the Rifle Association Meeting at Trentham, just closed (says the Wellington correspondent of the Lyttelton Times), 3(5,000 rounds of ammunition were sold to the competitors, realising £162, while 5120 sighting shots at 6d produced £l2B, and 26 disputed shots at 5s £6 10s. none of the challenges being sustained. The entry fees amounted to £SBO, and the canteen rights brought £3O, making the total receipts £906 10s. The sum of £749 was expended in prizes, of which the Government contributed £35 for the volley firing match, and £95 was spent on marking and clerical assistance, besides £BO for labour and other items, making a total of £BB9, excluding volley firing prizes, and leaving a small credit balance to the Association. The number of entries was the smallest since the Rifle Association assumed control of the meetings from the Government in 1879.

A Trip to the West Coast,—Two young ladies, who are sisters and who belong to South Canterbury, have just returned from a trip to the West Coast, having started from Waimate and driven all the way to the Coast and back in a light daisy cart. They are both school teachers, and determined to spend their holidays in a novel and at the same time highly healthy and enjoyable way. Christchurch was reached by easy stages, the young ladies staying at various friends’ houses on the way. After spending a few days in town to give their horse a thorough rest, they started for the Coast. With the exception of some heavy rain after leaving Springfield, the weather was generally fine, and the roads being in splendid order the beauties of the scenery en route were seen to advantage. The young ladies speak highly of the kindness they received at the hands of the West Coast people, who took more than usual interest in them on account of their having shown so much courage in making the long journey alone. It may be mentioned that while in Greymouth one of the ladies sat for her certificate examination, having arranged to do so before leaving, so as not to lose part of her holiday by waiting for the examination to be held in Timaru. —Press. Political Address. The Hon, W. Ealleston addressed his constituents at Halswell on Saturday night. He expressed regret at the illness of the Premier. He referred to the speech of the Hon. W. Reeves, and defended the Opposition from the charge of wasting the time of Parliament. At the beginning of last session a constitutional question had arisen as to appointments to the Legislative Council. Ministers appealed to Downing Street against the Governor. Practically this nullified one branch of the legislature, and Ministers abandoned the constitution. The Government could have forced the Labor Bills through the Council by appointing half a dozen members, but neglected to do so. He thanked God that the voice of labor was more potential than hitherto. Labor questions had yet to be thoroughly discussed, as opinions were very much divided on them, the eight hours question for instance. Of 41,000 Durham miners, voted for, and 28,1387 against the legal enactment of eight hoprs. He thought that the parties interested should be allowed to settle their disputes amicably. He thought that compulsory legislation to regulate wages would fail, as employers could not be forced to pay more than they coqld afford. 'JL’hg jand and income tax was not fair, but he did nop say that it could not be made fair. At present present taxation fell unfairly on country people. The system of special land associations was unfair, and created dummies and speculation. The Land for Settlement Act would, l).e was afraid, cause people to foist inferior laud on the Minister, fife (Mr Rolleston) thought that land for settlement should be taken as for public works, fair compensation being given to the owners. It was ridiculous to talk of a surplus while «100,000 was needed for education purposes. As long as the revenue was supplemented by released sinking funds, borrowed money was being spent. The country was threatened with a cessation of subsidies. This meant further taxation. Ifis party wished to deal fairly with all, and would raise no class cries. He hoped that any attempt by one class to seize power would meet with the shame and disappointment which it deserved. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried against au amendment of thanks only,

Horse Sale. —Attention is directed to the fact that the Canterbury Farmers’ Co-operative Association have altered the date of their Geraldine horse sale from Friday, January 27th, to Thursday, January 26th instant.

Snake in Victoria Park. — A mild sensation was created last Sunday afternoon on the news spreading that a snake had been killed in the Victoria Park, Temuka. At first the story was disbelieved, but about 7 p.m. two lads, named Douglass and Edgeler, produced a positive proof of it by depositing the snake itself on the footpath opposite the courthouse, where it was on view for some time. It appears that the two lads were walking along the park when Douglass saw the reptile coiled up, and on touching it with a stick it rose its head and began to hiss, but immediately began to make for the fence. Douglass, however, ran after it and, hitting it with his stick on the neck, killed it, and he, with Edgeler, put it in a bag and brought it to the place mentioned above, where on being measured it was found to be 7 feet 6 inches long. It was what is known as a carpet snake, which are said to be harmless, excepting it got itself coiled round anyone, when it would squeeze its victim to death. How the reptile got into the park was soon explained. On last Boxing Day some travelling showmen attended the Caledonian gathering in Temuka, and pitched their tent in the shelter of the trees in the park. One of them was to swallow half-a-dozen swords, and had performing birds and monkeys, and the other painted his face grotesquely, and used to coil two or three snakes around his neck. While here one of the snakes died and has been allowed to rot ever since in the park, but the snake found alive last Sunday got away from them, and has lived since thereabouts, for it was not far from where the tents were pitched that Douglas killed it. Now it appears to us that these people ought to be punished for their conduct. They ought to have buried their dead snake and when the live one left them they ought to have given public notice of it. To let such a reptile loose in the chief resort of women and children is a very serious matter. It may be that it was not poisonous, but supposing it came across a child in the park and coiled itself round it as its wont what would have been the result I Simply that the child would have been killed. We trust the proper authorities will seek out these showmen and let them know that they cannot let their reptiles loose amongst people with impunity. Douglass informs us that he recently saw a snake on Dinda Farm, Waitohi. It was of a greenish color, and went in under a heap of straw. It is more probable that it was a lizzard, or something of that kind, he saw.

About £9OO has been subscribed for the Christchurch Nurses Horae.

Holloway’s Pills. —lmportant for the delicate. —It is difficult to determine which is the more trying to the human constitution, the damp, cold days of autumn and winter, or the keen, dry, easterly winds of spring. Throughout the seasons good health may be maintained by occasional doses of Holloway’s Pills, which purify the blood and act as wholesome stimulants to the skin, stomach, liver, bowels, and kidneys. This celebrated medicine needs but a fair trial to convince the ailing and desponding that it will restore and cheer them without danger, pain, or inconvenience. No family should be without a supply of Holloway’s Pills and Ointment, as by a timely recourse to them the first erring function may be reclaimed, suffering may be spared, and life saved.

SYNOPSIS OP ADVERTISEMENTS. Geraldine Floral Society—Annual show. Guinness & LeCren Entries Temuka stock sale. Temuka Rifles Government parade to-morrow evening. C.F.C. Association Hold third wool sale on February 21st. J. W. Miles—Special quotations for line of lace mantles bought at half price. Geraldine St. Patrick’s Day Sports Association.—Notice re annual meeting. Dugald McFarlane, Returning OfficerNotice re election of member for Timaru Harbor Board. J. W. Pye—Particulars of bargains in summer drapery, millinery, boots and shoes, etc., etc, Messrs H. B. Webster & Co. —Notice respecting sale of Mr D. McKay’s farm 103 acres Geraldine Road.

A. White, Architect for painting, distempering, and repairing, English Church. Geraldine. David Owers & Co. Have determined to put on extra cart for farmers’ convenience during harvest, and give new price list. J. Brown—ls now making great reductions in all harvest requisites; quotes special prices of a number of lines he is overstocked in.