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Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 22, 10 December 1874, Page 5

Pheasants are reported to be heard daily in the swamp about the centre of Inch Clutha.

We understand that a concert in aid of the BuildiDg Fund of the Church of England, will take place on the evening of Friday, the Ist January next, at which a number of lady and gentleman amateurs from Tokomairiro aud other places will take part. !

The price paid for shearing on the East Coast of the North Island this season was 27s 6a* per 100, end it was difficult to get a sufficient number of -hands even at tbat price.

Ten shipments equal to 2200 tons of railway material is now in course of shipment to this province. Iv additiou-to the ordinary permanent -way material, of which there is a large quantity, the cylinders for the Clutha bridge are, says a Dunedin contemporary, to hand, and are now being conveyed to their destination.

An accident of rather a serious character happened to one Thomas Gray, a platelayer on the railway line near Milton, on Thursday, the 3rd inst. Gray was getting off a truck, but unfortunately tripped and fell, hitting his face on the edge of one of the sleepers, which cut his cheek and forehead, laying the bone completely bare. Dr Stewart was sent for who dressed the wound. Gray was then removed to the Dunedin hospital.

Partridges are now to be seen within the proximity of the township. A few days since, Mr Melrose came upon a number of young partridges while cutting some grass in his paddock. They attempted to fly but were unable. Mr Melrose also informs us tbat they have been building in a broom hedge within a short distance of his house, where he has repeatedly seen the cock and hen together.

Dr Carr, of phrenological and mesmeric celebrity, notifies through our advertising columns his intention of again visiting the district. He will, we are informed, reach Balclutha on Saturday evening,'- and will give mesmeric seances at Balclutha on Monday, Inch Clutha on Wednesday, and Kaitangata on Thursday evenings, On Sunday evening he will deliver a lecture in Barr's Hall, Balclutha. Subject—" The Grave and after."

Kaitangata, says our correspondent, has just sustained a severe loss in the death of Mr Darling, one of the oldest and most respected of its inhabitants. Deceased, it appears, caught a bad cold sometime ago, but as be was ahle to move about no serious consequences were apprehended within two days of his death. He expired on the evening of Thursday last, 3rd inst, his end being so peaceful that the presence of death, was at first difficult to be realised. -His loss is deeply regretted both on account of his public and private worth. 'Being one of the very oldest of our settlers he was familiar with the early history and progress, of. events which, coupled with a native shrewdness and sound judgment, gave him an influence which was invariably exercised for the general good. .As an elder of the Scotch church few could be said to have taken a warmer interest in its affairs, and his devotedness to the educational interests of the district were equally sincere. The funeral, which took place on Monday afternoon, was one of the most numerously attended events of the kind which has yet taken place in the district. Much sympathy is expressed for his widow! and family.

In the prize list of the late Agricultural Show, entire colts foaled after =1871, (Class

17,) the prize was stated to have been

awarded to Mr Anderson. It should have been Mr Mosley. It is also worthy of

being noted that the 2-tooth prize ram 3, aad 2-tooth eweshave been purchased by Mr Mosley. The first prize for thoroughbred mares in loal or with foal at foot (Class 20), was awarded to Mr Matthew Hastie, and not as stated in the report to Mr J. C. Anderson. - The following business was transacted at the last sitting of the Waste Land Board : Ranger Hughan reported on the Btate of;

the Popotunoa, Wairuna, and Merrie

Creek bushes, held under lease by Mr T. Pollock. It was stated that the bush was in a very unsatisfactory state; that the young trees planted by Mr Pollock were not properly attended to, and that those that died were not replaced by others. Mr Pollock said the trees were destroyed by frost, and referred to the difficulty of growing blue gums. ?He thought the Government should give some assistance in growing English trees. The Ranger's letter was referred to Mr Pollock for explanation on : the points touched upon in it. The plans of applications for unsurveyed land were approved of as follows : T.Fraser, sections .4 and 2, blocklll, Toitois ; James Maben, section 41, block 11, and section 240, block VI, Wyndham ; J. and J. M'Kechan, section 51, block IV, do ; C. C. Kettle, section 29, block IV, Toitois.

The starlings liberated some years ago by the Acclimatisation Society have taken up their abode on Inch Clutha. About three weeks ago we noticed two of their nesta is Mr M'Donald's bush, near the upper end of the island. One nest contained young ones, which the parent birds were most assiduous in attending to, visiting the nest a great many times during the day, and each time having their bills well filled with food 'for the young. The food appeared plentiful, as they were only a very ; short time absent from their nests, until tbey returned with fresh supplies. Our informant adds:— About a fortnight ago, in walking through one of Mr M'Donald's paddocks, a short distance below the punt, I raised twelve starlings that were feeding in the grass. They flew over the river into Smith Bros. hush.

A correspondent who signs himself " Clutha," writes. — The mea.sure of success which attended the Agricultural shows lately held in this and the adjoining districts 18 now publicly known. Is it, I would ask, because that the Tokomairiro show did not attain to its former prestige that the Tokomairiro paper has thought fit to throw cold water on* the practice of holding district*exhibitions. The idea of a great provincial show Bounds no doubt well, aud its attainment would he ■ a great boon to the agricultural and pastoral interests of Otago. As yet, however, a project of that nature is premature. Districts contiguous to Dunedin" are in advance of more remote localities in tbe matter of securing good-stock for breeding purposes. Then, there would "be traveliicg, and the expenses connected therewith, both of which would form a serious obstacle to the prospects of competing upon equal terms. When- the railway system has beeu fully developed, and lines are in operation north and south, the matter will be quite different. 'In the meantime, however, I believe the thinking part of the community will agree with me that the local competition is essential as a preparatory institution for such a general show. Without exhibition and competition, no real life would be diffused throughout our pursuits. Within the last few years tbe southern districts have made great strides towards the improvement of stock, and as greater attention is given, and activity manifested, year after year, the most remote district will eventually be enabled to exhibit creditable stock.; stock worthy of being ranked at even a central contest. At present, however, we must stand up in defence of our local shows.

William Andrew Jarvey was charged, on remand, at the R.M. Oourt, 'Dunedin, on Tuesday last, with having, at PortMolyneux, stolen two five,- and three one pound notes, and a silver watch, the property of Richard Allan.— Sub-Inspector Mallard explained that he had been unable to obtain the evidence he expected, which; was necessary for the completion of the case. He would therefore ask to be allowed to withdraw the case without prejudice. — Accused was accordingly discharged, his Worship telling him that if the required evidence was obtained, he was liable to be again arrested on the same charge. <

An application was read at the meeting of the Education' Board, held on Tuesday, from settler's at Lovel% s Flat, stating that there had been ameeiing -of householders in the district to take steps to » establish a school, and information was asked as to what assistance the Government would give towards the building of a school and -main-, tenance of a teacher. It waa further stated that the number of children -who would attend the school would be 15 ; and that the services of a female teacher would be sufficient for the present. The further consideration of the matter was deferred until next meetiner, •• it beipg thought that owing to the small number of children, the school might be properly joined as a halftime scnool with some other- small school in the neighborhood. >

A correspondent -furnishes us (' Lytt'eton Times') with a compari?on of the sums realised from the sale of 118 bales of wool, bales being double dumped and 54 un- ; dumped. 'The wool -was - heavy greasy,' consisted of the bulk of the fleece wool of the clip, was shipped by the Duke of. Edinburgh, and sold at the same sale in London. Sixty -five bales double dumped averaged 1 9-16 d per > lb, while 54 bales shipped undumped averaged* l 35-54 d peri lb. This shows a difference in favor of the undumped wool as nearly as possible of one-sixteenth of a penny per pound in gross price at ; Home, while the cost of freightat Home was a farthing per pound more for tbe undumped. The net result a loss of 6s Id per bale to have been incurred through sending the .wool undumped.

The " Otago Almanac and Directory for 1875," has, according to advertisement in another column, been issued. It contains maps of New Zealand, published under authority of the General Government, showing the Public Works Scheme as in operation, and as contemplated. A production of this kind must be of immense advantage to settlers and others, and tbe acknowlodged business 'Capacity of its publishera (Messrs Mills, Dick and Co., Dunedin,) is a guarntee that the information it contains may be relied upon.

Our Catlin's River correspondent, writing on the 4th inst., reports : — A regatta took place here on the 28th ult., and being observed as a holiday, was witnessed: by a goodly number of persons, belonging to this and the adjoining districts. Ia all, nine events took place, each ot tbem being well contested by the different-competitor?. — During the month ending 30th ult., 15 vessels, representing 578 tons, entered iuwards.; and 10, representing 337 tons, outwards. Of the latter, nine loaded with timber in the river ; six being freighted by the new mill, and three by Stratford's mill. —The weather has been very fine during the month. With the exception of two days (12th and 25th ults.) there has been really no sea to speak of on the bar, and on these two occasions it was not by any means heavy..— The "Swat's" long-boat, which left the river on the Ist inst,, has been purchased from the Wreck Company by a firm in Oamaru. After getting over the bar, it was taken in tow by the " Isabella," and only let go when she got inside Otago Heads. — At the present time there are eight vessels loading in the river, viz., two.-at-the Owake, and- six at the new mill.

At the monthly meeting of the Education Board, held on Tuesday, a recoup mandation by the Secretary (Mr Hislop), that a school-houst be erected on the Education Reserve, Owake Flat, Catlin's River, was approved of.

We extract the following from the report of proceedings of the Education Board, held in Dunedin on Tuesday: — A letter has been received from Hillend district, stating that L' 76 had been subscribed by the settlers. Tbe "'Board resolved to sanction the establishment of a school in the district, and to grant L. for L. to the extent of L 75 in aid of the building.

A man named Henry Higgins was drowned in the Taieri River on the afternoon of Monday last. Deceased it appears in company with another man was sailing up the river in a flat-bottomed boat, which was struck by a sudden squall and upset. Both men suceeded in getting upon the bottom of the boat, but Higgins, who was a good swimmer, again took to- the water, and made for the shore. Before reaching it, however, he eank, his body not being recovered for some considerable time afterwards. The other man was promptly rtscued from his perilous position.

On tbe 2nd instant ■ a fire occurred at Colbwin farm, Hillend, the property of Mr Petrie, which resulted iv the total destruction of the sheering shed, byre, coir shed, &c. The fire, which originated in a loose horse-box. situated at the rear of the buildings, vrtis lireS discovered between 1 and 2 p.m., but so rapid was the progress of the flames that considerable damage' was done before they were got subdue!. In addition to the building in question, a chaffcutter, reaping machine, and a quantity of other tools and stock were completely consumed. The value of the buildings destroyed is estimated at L2OO, exclusive of the other property, no part of which wag insured. Considerable sympathy is felt for Mr Petrie, who is a well known settler in the district.

On Tuesday, 23d nit. Mr Charles Connor, son of the Rev. Mr Connor ot Popotunoa, delivered a lecture on " Trade," in the recently erected schoolhouse at Clinton, Mr Connor, after giving a short bistorial pketc-h of international trade, look up the question of free trade and protection. He advocated the free trade view. The lecture was well attended, and listened to throughout with great attention. The proceeds of the lecture, which amounted to about L 6, was devoted in aid of a fund for the erection of a stable on tbe manse property. Mr Thomson, M.H.R., was in tho chair.

Our Wyndham correspondent writes : — The township is increasing rapidly, new buildings and improvements being the order of the day. Mr P. Fletcher is making large additions . to his store, -which, when completed, will add greatly to the appearance of the town. I was lately shown plans of a new hotel about to be erected by our local hotel keeper, Mr E. Jones. .In some future letter I- will give you a description of it, sufhce.it to say that when built it will be equal to any establishment of the kind up country, and will leave nothing to^be desired ia the way of accommodation. We stand greatly in need of a bi-weekly mail, which would facilitate our communicating with .Dunedin and other places along that route. As things are, communications sent to you are detained nearly a week before they can be inserted in the columns of the Clutha Leader. I trust, -therefore, that, the " powers that be" taking into consideration the increasing importance of the district, will grant us the boon -of more frequent postal intercourse.

The ordinary meeting of the Matnu District Road Board was held on Monday, 30th ult., at 1 p.m. ;The members present were— Messrs Inglis (chairman), Anderson, Smith, M'Donald, Bell, and Mr. Eobt. MSKenzie, clerk to the Board. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and- cmficmed. According to.a resolution passed at the last meeting, the election, of a permanent chairman was proceeded with. Mr 'Anderson proposed, and Mr. Smith seconded,- the election of Mr George Inglis, which was carried. .-A few cases of •appeahanent rates came before ihe Board, but, after consideration, they were withdrawn. A deputation of settlers from Kaitangata waited upon the Board, representing the present unsatisfactory condition of the 'approaches to Kaitangata punt. 'Improved plans were produced aud discussed, which -at the present time, are under consideration by the Board. Several sceounts in connection with roads, ditches, and punt were laid on tbe table and passed. .The members of Noriih Molyneux -subdivision were authorised to place two culverts on the Hill Road, and other wors necessary thereto. The next meeting was fixed for the last Monday ci the .month. »