LOCAL NEWS OF THE MONTH.

Board of Worka — On September 9. Mr E. J. Parker was elected as representative of the Waimate district inthe Timara and Gladstone JBoard of Works, Dice Mr G. B. Parker resigned. Inquest.— An inquest was held at Wai» mate on September 11, before the district coroner, Mr Woollcombe, on the body of Sarah Miller Brown, wife of Mr James Brown, of Waimate, who died suddenly on the 9th instant. Mr S. W. Goldsmith was chosen foreman of the jury. From the evidence of Mr Drury, who made a pott mortem examination of the body, it appeared the deceased had been suffering for a long, time from an enlarged liver, aud that her death had been accelerated by having given birth to twin children. After hearing the evidence, the jury returned a verdict of " Died from natural causes." Postal Statistics. — We flnd on reference to a parliamentary paper, tbat the total number of letters and newspapers despatched and received throughout the colony m 1870 is as follows :— Letters despatohed, 2,626,947 ; ditto received, 3,018, 932 1 newspapers despatched, 1,622,728; ditto received, 2,266,934. In 1869, 2,874,060 letters were despatched, and 2,642,535 received, and of newspapers 1,486,255 were despatohed, and 2,076,892 received. So that m 1870 there passed through the Post Office 629,284 letters more than m 1869 : the despatched letters showing an increase of 252,887, and the re- i ceived of 376,397, over the numbers m 1869. The newspapers also show conconsiderable increase, there being 186,473 received, and 190,042 despatched, more tban m 1869. Fifty-four new offices have been.opeued „ and eleven closed during the year. Government Annuities Department.— The following extract from the report of the Government Annuities Commissioner lately laid before the Assembly, presents m a concise form a statement of the success which has attended the Government Assurance scheme since its inauguration last year. The report speaks for itself. Mr Gisborne says: — "lam glad to be able to report that the progress which has been made is satisfactory, and shows that not only those m easy circumstances invest m comparatively large policies bnt that persons of less means apply their savings to Becuring a safe though small provision for the future. Au increasing number of small policies indicates the wider spread of prudent and economical habits, the more powerful means of lessening destitution and ciime, and the better prospect of fulfilling the object of the Legislature, which has provided m the Government Insurance System as m the JPost Office Savings Banks, an unimpeachable security (for the Colony itself is the security) for provident investment m the hope that such provision may be to the greatest and most general public advantage; The Insurance system' was practically brought into operation m New Zealand on Ist March 1870, and from that date up to 30th June last 667 proposals for Assurances, amounting to £295,874, have been received (more thau half of this number were received during the last quarter), of wbich 448 have been accepted and taken up, and policies issued amounting to £205,374, at an annual premium of £5,810, 4s Bd. The number declined out of the 667 proposals is 75 for Assurances, amounting to £31,300 ; this may be taken to show that great care is exercised m the selection of Uvea. The number of proposals not taken np on 30th Juue was 30, and 114 were under consideration on that date ; the large proportion of the latter class is attributable to the fact, that many of the proposals were then of quite recent date. There.Jhad then also been received, 15 Endowment Proposals, of which 10 were completed, and 7 Annuity proposals, of which 4 were granted." Waihi Crossing Farmers' Club. — A meeting was held inthe schoolroom on the Bth September last. In the absence of the President, Mr J. Young occupied the chair. The minutes of the last meeting being read and confirmed, it * was . then proposed, and carried "That with some slight alterations the rules of the Ellesmere Club should lie adopted." The following gentlemen were then elected as office-bearers for the ensuing year, viz., Mr W. JK. Macodnald, Presideut ; Mr John Hayhurst, Vice Presideut ; Mr J. A. Young, Treasurer ; Mr F. Irving, Hon. Secretary. JThe Club will, for the future, meet on the first Friday of each month. At the next meeting the Clnb is to take intoconsideration the desirability of petitioning the Government to carrying the railway as far as Waihi Crossing, without delay ; and. also the desirability of securing to itself the services of a threshing machine for the coming harvest, as there is often much delay and, loss caused by not being able to get stuff threshed when required. An arrangement of this sort would no doubt be of considerable advantage. We trust those interested m the district will give tiiese matters their consideration and support . Death of Db McLean. — I* is with deep regret we have to record the demise of this gentleman, which took place at his residence, Timaru, on September 11. The deceased gentleman has resided m Timaru since the year 1863 or the early part of 1864. He had, previous to that date, paid a flying visit to the Colony m the ship Echunga, of which he was sur- ' geoninlß62. The Eohunga then landed immigrants m Timaru, and Dr McJLean went back to England m her, returning m. 1863 m tbe Lancashire Witch, m which vessel he was also m official charge as doctor. This vessel also landed immigrants at Timaru. On board the Lancashire Witch there were, all told, nearly 500 souls, and, on getting into the tropics, scarlet fever, m a most virulent. form broke out. Thirty-three deaths occurred, and at one time there were 250 cases of sickness on board. It was then- that the sterling qualities of the good doctor shone forth, for he was the only physician on board, and besides having to combat with a dread disease, his means fbr doing so were sadly crippled, the Btock of medicines running short, and the vessel having to put into Simon's Bay, Cape of Good Hope, for a fresh supply. As a passenger by that unfortunate vessel tells us : "By day and by night Dr McLean was unremitting m Jhis attention, and doing all one man could posl sibly do to stem tbe fatal tide of decease' which was sweeping over the vessel. To the children especially he was most kind, and many a young life was saved by his thoughtful and persevering care. Frequently he supplied tbem with delicacies out of private means, which otherwise were not procurable, and even his own meals he has beeu known to give away to nourish some nva\ chdd." Constant watchfulness, causing so great a mental and physic-^ a strain, could not do ought but tell on the Doctor, and at one time it was feared that he too would have succumbed. Buch noble conduct had its reward by endearing Dr McLean to every soul on board, and the gratitude then felt a to our own knowledge still fresh m the minds of those who were his fellow passengers. Sinoe the deceased gentleman settled m Timaru, he has been known by the same good qualities which distinguished him on •ship board— always thoughtful,- kind, and ready, and— one of the best qualities for a medical man — wonderfully patient It would be but supererogatory for us to state that Tunam has sustained a loss.. Wheu a good man dies the oommunity at large Buffers. Both personal friends, and those with whom the late Doctor was brought professionally into contact, must feel the truth of this j — the former have lost a kind good friend, the latter a faithful and zealous physician. His death ps a sadly early one, he being only thirty-one years of age. A -wife and a family of four young ohildren are left to mourn his loss. The ftmeral of this fentleman took place on the 14th Septemer. As a mark of respect, all tiie business places m the town were olosed just before the hour appointed for the funeral. At a little before four o'clock the membera of the Foresters Society and of the Anoient Independent Order of Odd Fellows (of whom Dr McLean was a member) marched m procession to the residence of deceased, and were there joined by numerous friends who came to pay their last tribute of respeot. In all there could not have been less than a hundred I and fifty who followed the hearse to the I grave. At about 4 p.m. the Bey dea Barclay, I

— ™— "-. ■ * — ■■ — •-•■ ■■ • Presbyterian minister, performed 'the- first pa tof the funeral service,, and. at- 4.15 the coffin was borne out of the house tothe hearse, whioh stood on, the main road, by Brothera W. Dale, W. Powell, H Hall, and R. Kennedy of the \.0.F., Brothers R. JR. Taylor, T. W. Fyfe, W. Barnett, and F. W. Stubbs of the A.L0.0.F., acting as pallbearers, the coffin passing between lines formed liy members of the two societies. Tlie coffin deposited m the hearse, the funeral procession was formed m the following orderi— Brethren A 1.0.0.F*., the hearse, mourners and intimate friends uf the deceased gentleman, Brethren of the A.O. P., the general public, aud several carriages bringing up the rear. Ou arrival at the outer gate of the cemetery, the Odd Fellows formed two lines, betweeu which the remainder of the procession (Kissed, aud they theu brought up the rear. On reaching the grave the crowd formed m a dense mass round it, aud the Rev Mr Barclay, after reailing a passage of scripture, concluded with a heartfelt address, which was listened to with breathless attention. ~ That over, Brother W. Priest, of the Foresters, read the service api>oiiited "by the Order. _ The members of the societies theu oame up singly to have a last look at the coffiu before the earth covered it, ahd each threw on the top of it a sprig of rosemary. This concluded the ceremony, aiid all theu left the ground. Accident.— On Sept. 18th, au accident which might have beeu attended with very Berious results occurred on the North* road. lt appears that a lad named Brien, iv the employ of Mr J. W. White, was diiviug that gentleman's buggy into towa, and when opi>osite tbe residence of Mr H. J. LeCrea,the shafts becoming, partially dt-.tached one «i<le dropped against the legs of the animal, frijjhteinnjj-rit, 'and causiug it to ruu away. Iv comiug up the liill towards Mr Lough's house, one of the wheels ran up the embankment, *ud the vehicle consequently capsized, the boy falling underneath it and m that ptisitiou getting dragged some little distance. Fortunately for the lad, the horse was unable to drag the overturned vehicle very fiist, aud it was stopped by Mr F. LeCren, who was walking iuto town at the time, and the boy was extricated from his daugerous position. Beyond some rather severe bruises, he has received no injury; the horse is unhurt ; aud the buggy is uot greatly damaged. Thr Opihi Bridge.— The protective and strengthening works of this bridge are fist approaching completion. The first comprises planked piling along the western 01---st ream side of the gravel approach on the south bank, and a short piece of sheet piling on the upside of the northern approach, also fonninti and planting with willows the ground m the vicinity of the embankment between (lie two bridges. The latter, waling and bracing of the whole of the piers. All of the piles huve been driven alongside the roadway, and only require to be planked to finish that part of the work. Each pile is driven to an average depth of eight feet below the water level. For a few feet next to the bridge sheet piling, takes the place of the planking. This is done as an) extra precaution, for here the water* m a | fresh would' impinge heavily agaiust the embankment. The waling and bracing of the bridge are almost completed. The timber, ooth. of the new work as well as the old, with the. exception of the handrails which are to be painted, is to be tarred. Direct Immigration to Timaku.— lu reference to ia resolution passed by the Provincial Council at its hist session to the effect that arrangements should be made forthwith for the conveyance within the uext uiue months of -at least 300 immigrants direct to Timaru, the followiug letter has been received by 'the Hon. Mr Gisborne from His Houor the Superintendent: -"Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegraphic message of the 27th July, iu-fm-mins- me that the Geueral Government will direct that effect be given to the resolutions of the Provincial Council, recommendinn that arrangements should be made fur conveyance within the next niue monthß of at least 300 immigrants direct to Timarn,' m sliipmeuta of not more than 100 at a time. I have the houor now to euclose for your infiirmatiou a statement shewing the description of the immigrants who' are considered most suitable for the requirements of that district, and I also append the dates, approximately, at which it is desired each shipment should arrive at Timaru. I should wish, to add that it would be very desirable that the first body, of immigrants should arrive at as early date as possible. — I have, Ac., W. ItOLLKSTON." The following is the Btatenieut alluded to :— The first ship is to arrive ou or about the 15th January, 1872, the secoud ou the sth February, 1872, aud the third on the Ist March, 1872.- The first vessel will .bring 20 statute adults (families), including 6 ploughmen and 2 Scotch shepherds ; 25 angle n-e.i, as follows: — 15 ploughmen and general farm servants, 4 Scotch shepherds, ami 6 lad* ; 35 single women, eluding 20 geueral servants, 5 cooks, 5 dairy I maids, aud 5 nurses -total, 100 souls; The ' two other ships to follow will bring the same number— loo each — made up m nearly the same proportions. The correspondence winds up with a memorandum from the Minister of Public Works and Immigration, Wellington, to the Agent- General, London, requesting that gentlemi.n to give effect to the above. Destruction of Wiu> Cattle. — Recently, two brothers named Guun aud Jchn Gordon, have finished a contract undertaken by them for the destruction of a herd of wild cattle running on the Mount Nimrod range, at the back of Mr Elworthy's station. This herd— about 105 m number — has been made np principally from rnnnaways from the front country runs. Years ago some adventurous spirits endeavoured to eet the brutes away from the hills, and succeeded m drivings few into the low country and yarding them ; but although the cattle were thers for the driving, the speculation did not pay for the risk and loss of time. Ever since then the cattle have been a constant source of annoyance to the ruuholders m that part of the country, it being found to be waste of money putting up division fences on ruus while these animals were at large, for as soon as erected they were broken down. A reward per head— or rather per tail— was lately offered for their 'destruction, which has been, frum all accounts, well earned by the three men. The cattle were shot with rifles, and it was no easy matter after one shot to get auother. The country forthe moat part being rugged and precipitous the work of slaying was difficult and laborious, and not unattended with danger. One hundred of the brutes were eventually laid lowland afterwards one of the men went out alone!*: to "polish off" the five remaining — being five lively bulls. Ho succeeded, however, and brought home the tails "as evidence." The Rangitata Bridge. — In the last week or two the contractors have been busy m turning the waters ofthe river into another channel for the purpose of facilitating the sinking of the fourth pier of the bridge, and m erecting the npper works of the bridge over the first span of 66 feet. In a previous netice we mentioned that an attempt had been made to turn the water of the river away from the site of the columns by erecting a dam contiguous to the spot. ' This dam was washed away, and a frash work was undertaken a quarter of a mile up the river, and m a place which offered greater probabilities of success. The dam is of considerable length — some six Chains — and by it the main body of the river is direoted into the nortli chanuel. Below the dam, though, there was a considerable overflow back into the south chanriel, so a further work had to be under* taken by building a seoond dam across the mouth of the overflow, which' effectually retains the bulk of the water m the north channel. There is still, however, a very considerable flow of water m the south channel, especially on to its southern bank, (jut towards the north bank the flow is much diminished, and oyer the site of the columns —which is some little distance from the bank — the water is of little depth, and comparatively still. The work of shifting the staging was to have commenced on Monday, and either to-day or to-morrow, the working ofthe fourth pier is to commence. As we said before, the lattice girder work is now ereoted

over the first ohain span ; and gives the visitor a veiy. good idea, of the bridge as i( will appear when completed. While light looking and really handsome m appearance, it is most substantial, being, according to the Engineer, oapable of bearing a load little in< ferior to that for which railway bridges m England ure constructed.. The girder itsell is 7ft 6in m .height from the top of the column. From the top boom of the girder to the flooring of the bridge there will bo iron and timber work of another 2ft 9in m depth, making lhe superstructure from the piere 10ft 3in. Considerable difficulty has been experienced by the contractors m putting together the first pair of girdors, for, owing to the marks and numbers being eutirely obliterated, it is a most tedious process picking out of many hundred pieces the different parts. In many instances the holes for the rivets do not agree and have to be rimed out ; and some of the angle iron braces were found to bo nearly a quarter of an inch wider than the places wherein they are fitted, involving no little labor m reducing them to the required dimensions. It is probable that similar inconvenience will be found when the other girders are put together ; for although, likely enough, iv the first instance euch girder with its several parts accurately fitted together, yet it cun easily be understood that the parts of one girder and those of auothci should not agree with that great accuracy required m irou work. The manufacture! seems to have shown great carelessness m sending out the parts of the bridge m the manner he has. JBy using the simple precaution of indelibly marking each piece with its fellow both time and money would be saved ■ "as it is the contractors, we should imagine, wiU hare a claim on the Board of Works for the extra work performed, which a very little forethought, aud ordinary care, would have entirely prevented.- As a specimen of this carelessness, and fully accounting for paint marks being rubbed off, we may mention that the ironwork was apparently painted when rusty, as the paiut is coming offor haß come off iv large flakes. A good many rivets have yet to be driven to complete putting together this first pair of girders, but the work will bo finished this week. To hasten on the bridge works, thc coutraotors have, we hear, engaged the services of a man well acquainted with the construction oi lattice girder bridges, he having recently finished an engagement at Wanganui, whete a bridge somewhat similar m construction to that at the Rangitata hai been recently completed. — Timaru Herald, September 20. - Effects of Photkotioij' m Victobia.— The Australasian of the 2nd instant says : — " We are already reaping the advantages of the new tariff. A few days since a gentleman arrived here from New Zealaud with commissions to purchase goods for shipment to that colony to the extent of £10,000 to £15,000. He found, however, that the new duties had so greatly enhanced the prices of all goode which he would have to buy from open stocks thut he was unable to do any business, aud left for Sydney by the Rangatira. The money which would have been left iv Victoria will, go to euricb the sister colony. This is Mr Berry's idea of developing out* resources.