BALCLUTHA.

Bruce Herald, Volume VI, Issue 403, 31 January 1872, Page 5

BALCLUTHA.

(From our own Correspondent.)

Now, if I could only talk "horse" what an interesting letter I should be, able 'to write for your next issue. You wijl have noticed that for a week or two previom tn a race meeting, all other topics of conversation. give way to speculations on , the maiden, the handicap, the trot, and whatever else figures on the racing program me. : If you usk a maw, for instance, how Charlie is this morning, it will never strike him that your question refers to .the state of 'health of oh 3 of his family ; all his ideas have floated int6 the current cf popular 'conversation, and his answer will either be in the shape, of an offer to give you the field against Charlie, or to lay odds against his being placed. Sjjeak of the long cbntihued 'dry leather, with a view to eliciting his opinion as to its effect on the crops, and his answer. " Yes, unless I we get a shower or two the course 'will be very hard," will satisfy you how much .concerned he is about harvest prospects. r Politicians, whom you are at other times fain to shun in . order to .avoid their persistent twaddle about Fox, Yogel, and Hoti^hton, may now be approachud with a certainty that, for a short season, the Premier and Treasurer will , be disposed of in favor of Slander and Backbiter. The subjects of immigration and public works have.no show with the m6re interesting 'inattor. of distance, age, weight and time. Honest John claims the respectful consideration of men wli6 begrudge to. bestow a thought on. the, AgentGeneral, and. all interest in Mr Brogden arid his railways is sunk in the Race Committee and their efforts to form a good course. Judging from present prospects, I inn inclined to think that tho Clutha Ferry races of 72 will prove a great success; certainly, if the weatKei- favors, the 'attendance will be greater than at any previous meeting. During the past week Mr Capstrck held a very successful sale of Crown Lnnds. Large buyers were in attendance, and a lame aiva of country passed into private hands.. Immediately after the land sale, the privileges of erecting booths, grand stand, ifcc,, at the I forthcoming races were disposed of at satisfactory prices. BAi-ciiUTHA Town Council. The usual fortnight^ meeting of the above i Council was held in the Council Chamber^ 6n Wednesday, the 24th inst. _ Preaent — His Worship the Major, and 'Councillors Cramond, M'Kenzie", Ma'cdonald, Mas6n, and Bain. Minutes of pi'evioiis regular, and of a special meeting, were read and confirmed 1 . In reply to letter forwarded t6 his Honor the Superintendent making application to have the provisions of the ',' Municipal Corporations Act, 1867," extended to Balcluthft, a letter received from tlie Government I stating that ft would be necessary to "specify the various parts of the Act before the application could be entertained. Councillor Macdoiiald nWved v < That the application be renewed, with the . whole of 'the parts enumerated in progressive rotation." Councillor MasGn secdnded. Motion carried. The matter of Mr Trail's right to occupy and build upon ground upon the fiver banlr, in East Ward, being brought forward, considerable discussion ensued thereon. C6uncillor M'Kenzie moved, . and Councillor Macdonald seconded, pro ftirrhb, '" That the Town. Solicitor have full particulars ( submitted t6 hini in writing in order that his Opinion may be obtained." Councillor Bain aloved, as an amendnkenty "•• That, before taking the ttpiuic A of thfc Solicitor to the Corporation, this Oouncil place itself iv communication with.the Waste Land Board with a view to recon'c'irig conflicting .interests." . The amendment was seconded by Councillor Mason. By leave of tho Council* the mover of the

motion withdrew it in favor of the amendment, which was carried unanimously An application for permission to cut two •loads of scrub-lrom the Lower Ferry Reserve was granted to a ratepayer. It was <*esolved,on the motion of Councillor Macdonald, thatlicenses, at the rate of ]0s per annum be issued to draymen plying for hire within the Municipal boundaries.

Notice of motion for next meeting—Coiincillortßain to move, " That in order to increase to sixty-six feet the width of John street, between James and Clyde street, -it is desirable that this Council purchase from Mr Thomson the ground necessary for that pu repose. The Town Clerk laid upon the table the balance sheet, duly audited, for the year ending Dec: 31st, 1871