LOCAL & GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2775, 12 February 1895, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL.

Geraldine Stock Sale. The fort nightly sale of stock at Geraldine takes place to-morrow. A number of entries are advertised in another column. Pokikua Asylum.—The Porirua ABylum (Wellington), is already full, and further accommodation being urgently needed the question of adding a new wing is to be considered next session. Railway Concession Wanted. — The Invercargill Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution recommending the Government to carry lime for agricultural purposes upon the railways free of charge. Fishing Regulations. Regulations under the Sea Fisheries Act, 1894, are gazetted. Those make a close season for mullet from 20th December 1894 to 20th March 1895. The notice is" signed 11th December, 1894. Excuksion Train.—An excursion train will run from Timaru to Winchester on Thursday, carrying passengers at the rate of 2s 6d first class and Is 6d second. The train will start from Timaru at 2 o'clock and return at 6.40. Cycling Championship.—The fifty mile championship road race under the auspices of the Wellington Cycling Club, was won by F. Fabian in 2 hours 36 minutes 3 seconds; Herbert Smith finished second, two seconds behind the winner. Damages Wanted. —McKinstry, one of the occupants of a small fishing boat, which was run down by the Orowaiti while entering Wellington harbor some weeks ago, has issued a writ against the Union Steam Ship | Company, claiming £6OO damages. Wellington Exhibition.—At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce to consider the advisability of holding an exhibition in Wellington next year, the consensus of opinion was favorable to the project, and the meeting adjourned for further information until Wednesday next. The Maoris. —Dr HockenandMr Hamilton, of Dunedin, are touring the east coast of the North Island in search of information relating to the Maoris and Maori curiosities. They are taking photographs of everything worthy of record. A report of their investigations an'd collections will be published by the Philosophical Society, and thus preserved for all time. Cheap Money.—The valuers under the Cheap Money Act have reported on about 40 properties, all between Wellington and Opunake on one side and Napier on the other. About a thousand applications are dow ou hand, and instructions have been issued for valuing 250 properties. The valuers receive a guinea for each. The aggregate amount applied for is £700,00-■• Technical Education.—The Gisborne School Committee has resolved to entsr upon a scheme of technical education. In addition to the ordinary school work, it is proposed to teach boys carpentering, type-writing, etc., and girls book-keeping, the committee endeavoring to obtain a small annual grant from the Government in aid of the project on the basis of & for £ raised locally. Serious Charge. —At Oatnaru the Coroner held an enquiry into the circumstances attending the death of Alexander C. Johnstone, who died on the 3rd hist., of injuries which it was alleged were inflicted by his son, Charles. After hearing the evidence the jury brought in a verdict that Johnstone died from peritonitis caused bj violence used by his son. Charles Johnstone. Charles Johnßtone was subsequently arrested by the police. The West Coast.—Next Thursday evening a lecture and lantern entertainment will be given in the Wesleyan Church, Tern uka, in aid of the Sunday School prize fund. Two hundred views of West Coast scenery, etc.. will be shown, and the lecture part of the entertainment will be given by Eev. C. H. Standage, who has only just r^-viTTie' 1 f roul a T kfr to tne Bcenes ne will Ascribe" The" lecture is, therefore, sure to It full of interest, and all who desire to Decome as familiar as possible with the beauties of our island home should make a point of attending:- The charge for admiSiAK°&6 -Tfce Clutna Free Press states that Mr Hall recently took some pupa cases of the Hessian fly from infested wheat stalks in Mr Lindsay's paddock, Tokomairiro He found that they had been attacked by their natural enemy, which devoured the pupoß, leaving the empty cases. So far nothing has been heard of the Hessian fly in this and neighboring districts, and the inference is that the parasite has accomplished its destruction. In any case, a number of tbe farmers have taken the precaution of sowing red tuscan wheat, whose solid stems make it fly-proof. The Member for Ashburton.—The doubts that have prevailed as .to Mr M'Laehlan's intention to retain his seat in the House of Representatives were settled Wednesday eyening, when the member oa '-■=■ Lyttelton Times), speaking at the (saystuo -' ~. o( tbe ahburton Fire Briannual dinnt.. _ oleased to be amongst gade, said :"I an. . --vtloß. Jam gjad you this evening by inviw. • —nity el S»ybeeause it gives me an opportu. -Tor ing something about the unfortunate *.- or indiscretion that I committed on a recent occasion. I have to admit that Ididontbat occasion cast a slur upon the Ashburton constituency, but I can assure you that never again will I be guilty of committing the same error, and I hope you will all give me an opportunity of regaining your confidence, and recovering not only my political stitu-< but my social standing." Victoria.—A. Melbourne resident writes fro!<; Sydney to a frien.l in Ch-istimurch—- " WhU, 'Ve ttill j'j s * along ; but i i.m afraid Melbourne iJark days are si.ill in store. '. n " '"He banks weather fche storm, more How can . tne Legislature endeavors especially when -„ o ther institution to to tux them and evei.. Ux j aD ,<j t . ix> the very depths? Income '. wllemß a every tax that can be i i-posed—-legitimate retrenchment in expenwould save the country. Our railways a. ■ in a bad state—the fools who occupy the position of Commissioners raise fretguls. How ruici.lal! Teams are started m every direction and compete favorably with them, Eddy here, an expert, has made the system pay. Why cannot Victoria appoint an expert—what matter his salary-who would make the railwavs pay .' Tuirt can be done. But no ! Some fooU. who look to the salary of some £BOO a year, try and tinker on ana lose to the country about £-100,000. Presa,

Samoa.—The Falke reports all quiet at Samoa. The Curacoa had arrived from Auokland. STBANGtfi Charity.—There are very many charitable people in Christchureh, but there are one or two peculiar ones, a poor woman did for a certain family a half-day's washing, cleaned the windows, cleared out the kitchen range, and threw in besides a few similar trifles. On leaving she was offered sixpence, and on mildly suggesting that the work was worth more, she was told, "We only gave it you out of charity, we thought you wore poor." —Truth. Fire at Wanganui.—About half-past 9 o'c'ock last Saturday night a fire broke out in a large two-storeyed house in the avenue opposite the Wesleyan Church. The house was completely gutted, and was owned by Mr Hughes, and occupied as a boarding-house by Mrs Austin. The house was valued at £360, and was insured for £2OO. Part of Mr Hughes' shop next door, and cottage on the other side were damaged. There is no insurance on the furniture. This Tariff Commission.—At the Tariff Commission on Friday, evidence was giveu us to the mode of ascertaining the value of goods invoiced and duty payable. Suggestions were made about the hardware industry and for a reduction of the duty on certain articles. Evidence was ateo given as to certain manufacturing industries, and a request was made that the chemicals used in them should be admitted free or at a lessened duty. The Commission adjourned until yesterday morning. Steamers in Distress. The Oreti, which was dispatched from Wellington with gear for floating the Manawatu, is now lying piled up at the entrance of the Wanganui river. She also came to grief while trying to enter the port on Friday morning at high water. She grounded on the crest of the bar. The latest particulars show that she has drifted off the bar on to the beach almost 200 yards north of the breakwater. So far no damage has been sustained except the loss of the propellor. Although badly knocked about the Manawatu is still in the same position.

Southland Frozen Meat Company.— The annual meeting of the Southland Frozen Meat Co. was held on Saturday, and attended by over 200 shareholders The chairman stated that the loss of £16,000 on tue yeai's operations was almost solely due to tne fall in prices at Home. A motion was passed with only two dissentients, accepting the offer of Turnbull, Martin & Co., and the New Zealand Shipping Co., to guarantee advances to the extent of £IO,OOO to enable the company to carry on, on condition that they have the sole control of the business.

A Large Funeral.—The funeral of the unfortunate youosj man, Mr William Tetheridge, took place on Sunday afternoon last at Geraldine, and was one of the longest ever seen in the district. The cortege left the residence of deceased's parents at Belfield at 1.30 p.m., and arrived at Geraldine about 3.30 p.m., when the deceased's remains were taken to the Primitive Methodist Church, where a service was conducted by the Rev. H. Williams, who also officiated at the grave.

A concert will be held in the Volunteer

Hall, Geraldine, to-morrow evening, in aid of deceased's wife and family. A capital programme is provided. Supreme Court, Timaru. —At the Supreme Court, Timaru, on Friday, argument in the case of the Waimate County Council v. Allan Maclean, claim £345 1 Is 4d, for water rates and charges for three years, was taken. Sir Robert Stout and Mr Hay argued for the defendant, and Mr Stringer for the plaintiffs. His Honor Mr Justice Dennistoua reserved judgment. In the case of W. Hay (Kingsdown) v. W. J. Harvey (West Melton), claim £292 on an overdue promissory note, judgment was given for the plaintiff by consent. Mr White appeared lor the plaintiff and Mr Stringer for defendant. His Honor granted probate of the will of Wiremu Tuna Pohio, to James and Hannah Rickus, executor and executrix, on the application of Mr White. A Lost Watch Storv.—Mr Spencer A. Perceval has supplied Lady Colin Campbell's organ, Tae Rsalm, with a pretty " tall " watch story, the gist of which is as follows:—In '6l, when living on a sheep run at Albury, Mr Perceval one fine day went a hunting pigs, and foolishly carried his gold timepiece loose in his pocket. Naturally, it was not there when he returned, and though he hunted long in the track of the chase next day, he could not find the watch. In '(H he paid a visit to England, and in the subsequent year heard that the watch had been found by a shepherd, little the worse for its exposure to changing seasons. Not even the glass was broken, only the dial was a little discoloured. The shepherd wound it up, and it went for a short time. When it

returned to Mr Perceval's possession he had it cleaned, and the watch •' went blithely and accurately for years." Exi'lanatory.— On opening the Supreme Court at Timaru on Friday last, Mr Justice Dennistoun made the following remark upon the newspaper report of Thursday's proceedings : —" I find myself this morning credited with having said in sentencing a man for sheep-stealing that it was a point in his favor that he had confined his attention to the largest landholder in his neighborhood. Either what I said has been misunderstood or I have failed to express what I intended. What I desired to indicate was that the fact that accused had stolen only from one flock was perhaps some indication that he had not when taking up his land designed to steal, but had perhaps yielded to a special temptation in toe first instance. I added, however, that he had selected the largest landholder as some indication of care in planning. I do not usually notice such matters, but the statement as it stands is a dangerous doctrine to appear to be promulgated judicially."

Peel Forest.—The Peel Forest correspondent of the Lyttelton Times writes: The crops in this district are nearly all cut and a large proportion are in stack. Judging by the stooks and the staeks I think the yield will be above the average ; the berry, owing to the weather retarding the ripening of the grain, should be plump and good. Turnips are of a very mixed quality everywhere on the ooastline, and at the back, Fairlie way, thoy have suffered for want of rain ; but along the foot of the hills they are better. Most of the good crops are far too thick. Grass everywhere along the hills is good and plentiful, but beyond Raincliff it shows the want of rain. There is great excitement at Raincliff just now. Everyone is looking for a large snake which the housekeeper and her nieoo say they have seen several times. The housekeeper describes it as being from eight to ten feet 1 >ng, and of a steel-blue color, and she says she saw it run up a tree. Strangely, howi evfii-, tho gardener, who is at work coni otaatjy'ia F>be garden, has not seen it. -*«. MAiNWI>.~4 week or two ago a Housi-.. „m g h o fc j n tt paddpck in valuable horse w.. A f d PigeouV Une, Addmgton. . , t » afterwards ft horse was found paddock opposite Christ's College with its throat cut, and on Saturday, Feb. 2 the trotting stallion Brooklyn was found at ltieearton. have been kilted iu - aimuar manner, while during l-'ist wock two :?)orc horses had their throats cut in Richmond. Still another caso of muLnnH' reported ir .tn A'hliugtou oi Saturday mornimr. It appears that on Friday uwmux Mr W. Hall who resiles in Crowes' paddocks, behind the Canterbury S.J yards, turned hid bur*e out, and on brim-dug the animal in next morning it was found that the tips of both its **rj had been cut off, apparently with a kniiv, the; mane and forelocks were hacked about, «nd ~hmir n fool was cut oil the tail. About on Friday night The police are inqmnnjr fntc, th« matter, and an Saturday a'ternoon connection with the AddingtOD CMC.--Lyttoltxm TiuiCß.

Temuka Mechanics' Institute. —The annual meeting of members of this institute will be held this evening, and as important business is to be dealt it is hoped there will be a large attendance of all well-wishers of the institute.

Resigned. A Wellington telegram says: —Mr A. M. Clark, inspector of the Estates Company in South Canterbury, has resigned owing to ill-health. We are sure that all who know Mr Clark will regret that he has found it necessary to take this step. Op a Truth.—Concluding an address at Dunedin the Bishop of Salisbury, referring to the Church as an expression of national life, said :—"What do I see as I go about ? Every little township—it may be, perhaps, a township of only 20 wooden houses —has its three churches ; sometimes five. Now. you know what that means. These are little buildings into which probably only a small portion of the population gather together. Ido not think there is a great deal of hostility. - I think, on the contrary, there is a great deal of good feeling ; and where that feeling represents a kind of national life—English, Scotch, and Irish —as sometimes it does, I suppose it is at its best; but even so, we are all Englishmen in our language, we are all New Zealanders in our sympathies, and we all desire to make a great nation out of these I wonderfully fair and glorious lands which God has put into our hands and not into the hands of another nation, but unless we can join together as one Church we shall never make a proper use of our privileges. What do I hear as I go about ?—of jealousies, underhand intrigues, want of confidence between man and man. and of the very great expenditure which is caused from carrying on in this country the divisions of English, Scotch, and Irish life, which God certainly intended to be wiped out in these new lands."

Thb Imbecile Passengers Act. —In the Banco sittings of the Supreme Court, Auckland, before Mr Justice Conolly, the case of the Queen v. the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand came on for argument. John Arthur Cramond and Robert McKeikney Jack were joined as defendants in the action. The facts set out in the information were as follows: —On March 13, 1891, one Timothy Sullivan arrived in New Zealand as a passenger on board the steamer Monowai, of which the Union Steamship Company is the owner, and being an imbecile he was, under the provisions of " The Lunatics Act, 1882," committed to the Whau Lunatic Asylum. In accordance with "The Imbecile Passengers Act 1882," the Union Steamship Company as principal, and John Arthur Cramond and Robert R. Jack as sureties, on March 25. 1891, duly entered into a proper and valid bond to her Majesty in the sum of £IOO. The company at divers times between the 25th March, 1891, and 16th November, 1893, paid sums in all amounting to £IOO for the maintenance of the said Timothy Sullivan, but on the 16nh November, 1893, they declined to make further pay. ment for the maintenance of Sullivan (being the cost of maintenance in a public institution up to that date at £1 per week). The defendants contend that their liability ended when they had contributed £100; the plaintiff's contend that the bond of £IOO was only security for payment of contributions. United States Gold Bbseeve.—According to United States law the Treasury ought to hold at least 100,000,000d0l (say £20,000,000) in gold as reserve against the greenback circulation of nearly £70.000,000, the pioportion being little enough. The Treasury has also to redeem the Sherman Treasury (silver) notes on demand in gold, and these notes amount to between £30,000,000 and £31,000,000. During 1893 owing to the drain of gold and the fall in the revenue the legal minimum was broken. To meet the difficulty borrowing was

resolved upon, payment to be made in gol 1 or gold certificates. A year ago £10,000,000 was borrowed on 5 per cent bonds at 120, and £l2,ooo,ooorealised. The drain of golu, however, went on, and the fall of the prices of cotton and grain reducing the volume of the finance bills, combined with the return of railway bonds from Europe, caused the Treasury gold tojlfall lower than ever. 0;i the 24th November last another gold loan of £10,000,000 was floated, producing £11,700.000. But the export of prold still went on, and by latest advices the Treasury reserve was £8,000,000 below the legal limit The Argus points out that the two loan i already floated have produced £23,700,000, and they cost for interest £1,000,000 per annum. This heavy charge has been incurred to keep up the gold reserve, and the gold reserve is lower than ever. Now your neighbor has a piano you want one too, and waiting till you save enough to pay cash down for it will take you some time. Why not go to Begg & Co.'s, next Theatre, Timaru, select one from their magnificent stock, and have it sent home at once, paying for it on the 3 years hire system, and so have the pleasure of using the instrument straight away ?—Seo .' — [Advt.] . SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS. J. Whitehead & Son—Notice re accounts. T. & J. Thomson—List of specialties for February. A. M. Clark—Wants feed for 1000 lambs and 40 cattle.

Grand Benefit Concert—At Geraldine tomorrow eveuing. H. B. Webster & Co.—Sell furniture and waggonette at Hilton on Thursday. Lecture and Lantern Entertainment—ln Wesleyan Church on Thursday evening. W. C. Roulston Bargains in dress materials, flannelettes, hosiery, gloves, etc. N.Z. Loan & Mercantile Agency Company, Limited—Are prepare.! to store grain at lowest current rates, an.l make liberal cash advances on grain; curnsacks and twine supplied; notice re sheep dip and foot rot cure, etc.