The Bruce Herald. " Nemo me impune lacesset." TOKOMAIRIRO, APRIL 3, 1877.

Bruce Herald, Volume IX, Issue 984, 3 April 1877, Page 5

The Bruce Herald. " Nemo me impune lacesset." TOKOMAIRIRO, APRIL 3, 1877.

The County of Bruce owes a deep debt ot gratitude to its County Council for the manly straightforward course of action adopted by its members since their re T urn to fill the important position delegated to them by the electors of Bruce Believing at first sight that the best interests of the County demanded that for a time &t least they should sink their own entiy for the general welfare, they were prepared to do so, and practically agreed to tie their hands fur a period of nearly tw» years, having already supplied the Gwvernment with the necessary return for the first s»x months of that period, as provided for counties which decline to adopt the whole Act. Finding, however, at the last moment that the course of action upon which they had entered was beset with unforseen difficulties, which were likely to result disadvantageous!^ to the County through their hands being thus tied, they wisely resolved at their meeting on Saturday to resile from the course of action they had entered upon and commence ih novo the system of local government provided by the Coun ties Act, a course which we recommended in our last issue as that best calculated to promote the public good. This action on the part of the Bruce County Council redounds all the more to their credit; that with one or two exceptions the members ate Provincialistß to the back bone, and were, as it were, forced against their will to have anything whatever to do with the Abolitionist measures provided by the Counties Act. However, like wise administrators, now that they have been brought face to face with the law of the land as it exists, they have laid aside petty political feelings and local jealousies, and have determined to exercise their powers to best advantage, as they consider it " Wiser f»r to bear the Ills we have Tban fly to others that we know not of." Now that they have determined to adopt the Act, we have good reason to believe that every member of Council re-echoes the sentiments of the Chairman, aud would " glory with him" in being able to make the Bruce " a model County." One thing is certain, this Council possesses no "place hunters" The chief desire of the Chairman and every member of Council seems to be to husband their resources and thus avoid the ' * rock" on which so many counties have already " split" by entering upon the large and uncalled-for expenditure of funds out of all proportion to probable revenues. In this respect the ratepayers of the County of Bruce have every reason to expect and hopefully look forward to the expenditure of the County funds to very best advantage, and in this important aspect Wrt have every reason to believe that Bruce will become a model County as compared with others which haveobtained a start in the race by the immediate adoption of all the provisions of the Counties Act, which thus, for a time, has already been in active operation within their borders. The path of duty compels us to second " Effort's" effort to expose the most daring and deep-rooted of colonial Bocial evils -that of gambling— as exhibited at the late bazaar in aid of St. Peter's Church, Caverßham, supplemented by our own experiences of the bazaar held in Mi^on l aßt wee k * n a^ °^ tbe f UD( * 8 °* St. John's Churcb, and to be seen as openly practised at Church bseaars generally, Presbyterian, as veil as Episcopalian, and every other branch of the British and Colonial Churcb, where to our knowledge this system of raising funds has been adopted. Justice, however, to Bishop JSeville demands the explanation that in his speech referred to by "Effort" nothing whatever was said or hinted at of the objectionable feature of these bazaars, the spirit of gambling indulged in on sach occasions, and we q\i\te agree with the Bishop when he says—" U there anything wrong in having a bazaar for the sale of work for a highly creditable object—in people labouring thus and adding their little mites when they b&ve not a large amount of funds at their disposal for the object whicb we all acknowledge to be to desirable and good? JNow, I do not think that there can be any real objection — a oy sound objection— to su^b. a work as ih'iß. When we take into consideration that it requires many persons to labour in patience for many weeks, and perhaps months, in such a work as thin, I think that a greatest of Christian derotion may be acknowledge/I in ouph an enterprise as that we are met together to promote here to-day, An 4 I think that there ia more self-denial on the part of tho«»e who prepared the articles for the bazaar than oo the part of those who come tp pee the admirable display, and put fheir hand* into their pockets to purchase the goods. Dke the racecourse and the theatre the objwstionabtft f^at^re of such amusements has gradually prepfc in through the habitual indulgence thereat pf unworthy practices which do not necessarily attach themselves to such amusements, or otherwise commendable meant of raising funds for worthy objects. W« have do hesitation io stating that probably the larger half of the dwrtags gt St. John's Church B zaar resulted from the proceeds of rufliee, an illegal system for the disposal of goods, and all the more ut justifiable that the proceedf of Jbji ijlegal jra#c

wfire devoted to the maintenance of the Churcb. We there Baw father* and mothers shaking the dice box who would be grieved beyond expression were they to learn that their sons were at the same moment indulgiug in Yankee grab at the nearest public house although in so doing they would only be following the example 'set thorn by their parents, aa we hold that "Yankee grab," " a shilling in and the winner shouts," is the same tbing,Tt° all intents and purposes, a« that practised at the baSaar, only for. different purposes, and in our opinion " the end doe* not sanctify the means," but on the contrary, condemns them most emphatically, as we unhesitatingly do, each and all of the many ramifications into which the betting or gambling spirit manifests itself in social life. So proverbial has the indulgence of this Bpecies of gambling at church bazaars become that many abseut themselves therefrom who otherwise would become willing pur chasers, and rhu« probably more is lost than the monetary gain realised by such objectionable means. Parents and guardians of youth cannot in our opinion be too careful to abstain from "the very appearance of evil' in respect to the besetting sin of gambling in its every form — leading in the train of every vice which human flesh is heir to.

Maiis close via San Francisco on Wednesday morning at half-past seven. The nnnual soiree of the Tokomairiro Presbyterian Church has been fixed for this day three weeks. Thanksgiving services will be hold in the Presbyterian Church, Milton, on Thursday first, in connection with the late harvest. Mb Cbawlbt, so long and favorably known in connection with Cobb's coaches, has been appointed station-master at Milburn. We were recently informed that a leech had been discovered in a garden in the Tuapeka district after the flood had subsided. Me Edgar Bastings, station-master at Waihola, has been promoted to Lawrence, and it is understood that Mr John Maokay will succeed Mr Bastings at Waihola. We are informed on reliable authority that the damage to oropa in this district should have been set down at twenty-five per cent., instead oi ten, as in the official report. Might we suggest to our Town Councils the advisability of adopting the regulations in force in Christchurch, that no pig-stye be allowed within a chain of any residence. The wodl from Moa Flat Station (Mr Kitchmg's) was conveyed by rail from Milton last year, but this season all of it has been conveyed by waggon direct to DuneJin. How is this? . A fiee, caused by the explosion of a kerosene lamp, broke out on the premises of Messrs Thomson & Ros.*, painters, George-street, Port Chalmers, on Saturday evening at 630, completely destroying their premises. Mr Dale, grocer, also estimates his loss by damage and removal at £500. Wb would remind our readers of the l«cture to be given by Captain Barry to-night and can promiso all who attend a genuine treat. The residents of Balclutha should not loose the chance of hearing the captain to-morrow night, and we are sure that his old friends at Lawrence will muster in force on Friday night. A3 appe%rs by advertisement in another column, the Milton Pottery is again for sale. We trust that it will now fali into thn hands of some practical men, who will be satisfied with a fair return on a moderate outlay of time and capital. This, we have no hesitation in saying, can be secured by adhering for a time to the manufacture of commonware articles, for which there are markets near at hand, instead ot launching into speculative matters. Whilb Mr W. M. White was experimenting on the manufacture of potteryware we recollect that he incurred a larg) expenditure in importing flint from the Kaikouras. The future owners of the Milton Pottery Works can, we are informed, now depend upon inexhaustible supplies of this requieifco within 30 miles of Milton, and in close proximity to a surveyed railway line, which is already formed for half the distance. We observe in the office of Mr R.W. Capstick a rery fine sample of potatoes grown by Mr Wm. Chapman from aeed specially imported from America, and known as the Extra Early Vermont. We notice that a Minnessota grower took the prize for this potato as the largest producer of any known variety, lib of seed having yielded no }esa than 6091b5, which fact was duly attested by tha certificate and affidavit of the exhibitor. Two bursaries in the Otago University, of the amount of £30 aud £25 each, are offered by the Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland, to the t^o most auce^bsiul upholds who are desirous of studying for the ministry of that church. The examination takes place in Knox Church, Dunedin, towards the close of this month ; and any young men in the southern districts desirous of competing for the bursaries, by applying to their seyeral ministers will be advised as to the course to be pursued by them in the matter. Me Ballan^e announces, by advertisement, the re-opening of big school in the premises formerly occupied by Messrs Burton Ilrotueis, photographers, and which, we understand, have been transformed jntoexcellent quarters for the purposes of tuition. The evening olasses announced will doubtless attract not a few youths, whose early .opportunities of learning ip* 7 have been lees favored than at present, and who may have come to foe} that education unlocks the main entrance to success in life. Wb are pleased to notice that Mr William McLarn of Queenstown, has completed his tramway from Queenstown to the head of the One Mile Creek, a distance of over three mi}es, to the best of our recollection, and over exceedingly rough country in many parts. Two" summers ago while the work was in progress we walked over the rqute and then examined the finished porfiqn near the Bush, at vhiph end the tramway was commenced, so as to «snd pn the npcepeary timberas the work progressed, Mr. McLapn deserves ev«ry pjsedit fqti the large amount of patience and perseverance exercised by him in prosecuting the work for years past against difficulties which would have overcome most men. The tramway is designed to furnish Queenstown with firewood Bupplies.

Thb Tuapeka Line wat opened with flying colors yesterday. Our report of the proceedings is crowded out. Thb report of Saturday's Clutha County Council reached us last night after we had prepared for press, and will be given in our next. The following are the statistics of births, deaths, and marriages in the Tokomairiro District for the firstquarter of this year compared with last,

We have to congratulate the Municipal Council on the removal of one of the most palpable eye-sores of Milton, not only to be seen but folt in certain seasons. We refer to the open ditch in Abercromby-street, which has at last been covered in by a wooden oulverfc and brought up to the level of the street with earthwork. , The Hou. Donald Reid met the Mayor and Councillors of the Corporation of Balclutha on Friday last. The matter re the Balclutha Bridge having been referred to, Mr Reid said that was the object of hia visit. Matters were settled within keeping of a former resolution by the Balclutha Municipal Council having the management and control of the bridge without responsibility as to re-erection. The monies accruing from tolls to be devoted to repairing the bridge. Any surplus to be laid by towards re-erection when required. To our townsman Mr Robert Dodds, a Canadian by birth, the district is indebted for the introduction to these parts of Yankee waggons, of which a considerable number have been built in Milton Bince Mr Dodds led the way, and showed our wheelwrights " how to do it" by having one built specially to his order and under his instructions. We observe that one of our farmers has introduced them in farm and road work, and doubtless many others will follow the example, as these waggons are exceedingly serviceable, and of much lighter build than the usual farm drays in general use. Ma J-ikSi. McDonald, of the Milburn Lime Works, is now erecting a second kiln in close proximity to the former one. A large portion of the new kiln lias been cut out of thn solid rock, and upon this foundation the superstructure of stone is being built. We gladly learn that Mr McDonald's iime trade has been largely increased by a trip recently made by him to Wellington when he had also intended visiti g Auckland but was prevented. Large and increasing supplies of lime are now being regularly sent from Milburn to Christchurch and Wellington, and doubtless time will develop the trade still further northwards. At the time of the opening of the Tuapeka Line to Wiritahuna we were informed that the traffic of that line would be worked from the Milton Railway Station so soon a* arrangements could be satisfactorily completed to enable this to be done advantageously. We have mo r no wish to interfere in the slightest with the traffic manager's duties, which he ought best to understand, aud doubtless does, but we should imagine that the Milton Station provides greater facilities for junction traffic purposes than Charksville. If so, might we suggest that the opening of the line to Lawrence would be a suitable time to introduce the change, which we should imagine could be simply brought about. The many friends of Mr. Richard Pilkington scattered throughout the Province will regret to learn of his death on Saturday last after a lengthened illness. Mr. Pilkington was well known as a very old and much-respected member of the Police Force, who for a time acted as Gaoler at Queenstown and Naseby, and when overtaken at i.he latter place by failing health he returned to Tokomairiro, where he had previously spent many years, and where he leased the Municipal sections formerly farmed by Mr John C. Gordon. Mr Pilkington has no relations in the Colonies, and was not aware whether or not his three sisters in the home country are yet alive, to whom, we believe, he has willed his property in the event of their being still living, otherwise his friends, nu - merous Milton townsmen, will be the recipients of his estate in small amounts liberally distributed in token of esteem and regard for kindnesses rendered in his lifetime, particularly duriug his long period of sickness. We have very grjat pleasure in drawing attention to the advertisement of the Waiwera Hot Springs in the Province of Auckland, and cannqt too strongly reoom vend a yisit thereto of ali who are so unfortunate as to suffer from rheumatic iseasos, upon which the healing virtues of tl ese waters, externally and internally applied, exert a marvellously curative effect. A few mouth 3 ago we made the Waiwera our abode for several days, and we can safely say that no ncune we ever visited retains so pieasiag an impression upon our minds ; aud while personally we hope to escape goufc and other rheumatic affections, uhould our future destiny otherwise order we hope to be in a position monetarily when overtaken by any such malady to make our abode within the precints of the Wafwera Sanatorium of Health, as a more enjoyable residence, surrounded by every comfort —it would be impossible to. conceive oq terra firma, or to depict apart from fairyland imaginations — having rio foundation whatever in f act. Every conceivable in-door amusement and lomforfc is amply prqvided^ Q H a most sumptuous, jcale. Games— fruiu .lezique, and bagetelL, .q billiards — and every other known species of fireside game — while out-of-door sports and amusementsqf all kinds — active nd passive — ; are supplied in galore. Croquet lawns, swings, pleasure #alks, fruit gardens, donkey rides, cart drives for invalids,' fishing, shooting, and boating are a few of the many means of recreation and amusement provided, while an hour or half-hour's bathing in the tepid waters of the Waiwera Springs is at all timea a refreshing and invigorating exercise to be indulged in twice a day, or as often as one has a rn^nd, to. We have but seldom enjoyed any-, thing so much as a row qn th,e Waiwera River m'les from human habitation, in the deep recesses . of the forest, piloted by a Maori, singing some of his war lougs m roturn for a Scotch song at ou,r , hands. To the sick we roy gq tq Wajwera. <£o those in foarpb qf health, 'wo" say go to the WaU wera. To those in the, enjoyment of good health i and desirous ot retaining it we say take a trip to the Waiwera, tfyan which we know of go more . enjoyable soene in this Colony, an,d one more generally sppreqated,

ii would appear that "that well-known Dunedin Police Court celebrity is now as intimate with the Hokitika braol as with that of Dunedin, as according to the 'West Coast Times,' Barbara Weldon, after a sojourn of one month with Mr Cleary, rejoined her sorrowing friends early last week. Yesterday, she again fell into the hands of a Philistine in the person of Constable Hendrick. A pick took place at Messrs R. and T. Haworth's farm at Wuiwera on Sunday la3fc. It appears that between 8 and 9 p.m. the fire was observed by one of Mr Haworth's sons — it appeared to be in the wool-shed. Upon inspection the shed was found to be on fire, also the barn and stable, which were completely destroyed. We understand that the buildings are insured. The cause of the fire is unknown. At the late banquet on the opening of tlio Waimato Railway Mi' Studholme said ho recollected twenty-three years ago, when the first wheel carriage entered "Waimate. The reason why he recollected it was because he started with that wheel carriage from Christchurch — it was .with a team of ten bullocks, and he did not reach Waimate until after a journey of six weeks, during which he lost one pole bullock. The only thing they required to make South Canterbury and North Otagq one of the best districts in the whole of New Zealand, was easy communication, and now to a certain extent they had got it. The 'Dunstan Times' reports that "negotiations are .pending between the County Council and the Council of the Borough of Alexandra, for the building of a bridge across the Manuherikia at Alexandra. No work of greater public utility requires to be done than this, and we would urge upon the Alexandra people to leave no stone unturned till they get it done. A light affair sufficient to carry a pack horse is only required at present, and that should not be a very expensive affair." The last sentence is specially worthy of notice. In our own opinion equal, if not greater, necessity exists for a solid substantial structure at Alexandra, suited for general traffic; ! than at Clyde. I A Caithness man, Dr Waters, of the Bombay Army, performed the feat of riding overlaud from ; India to Europe, and the fact has recently been j made public to attest the powers of endurance of the medical profession. The doctor rode 900 miles to Euzoli, accompanied by a servant, at a cost of £27 ; tlienoe to Berlin by steamer and train at a cost of £8 13s 4a ; and from Berlin to London by train, &c, at a cost ot £8, or under £50 in all, whereas the cost of travelling between the same points by sea amounts to £106, viz., £26 from Bushire to Bombay, and say £80 from Bombay to England, via Brindisi. Dr Waters, however, truly says that after all the difference in expense is only a small mutter compared with the charming novelty of the Perao-Rubsian route, and the advantage of travelling through districts of greut historic and political interest. Dr Waters' furlough was limited to three months. After that, who would not ride round tha world on horseback ?

yiz. : — First quarter, 1877. First quarter, 1876. Births 53 49 Deaths 11 9 Marriages 5 9