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Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 34, 4 March 1875, Page 5

Deer-stalking is now a pleasure which the residents of Otago can enjoy. At Tapanui, lately, Mr John M'Kellar and a party sportsmen stalked and shot a fine large buck, which was found to weigh not less than 210lbs. The death of Mrs Jas. Macandrew, wife of his Honor the Superintendent, will be learned by very many throughout this district with feelings of deep regret. Both by birth and marriage the deceased lady was connected with families long settled in. and intimately connected with the administration of public affairs in this province. She had, says a Dunedin paper, been suffering for a long time from the painful ailment to which she at length succumbed. As soon as the melancholy news became known, the ensigns at the harbor office and all the vessels in port were hoisted half-mast high ; and there is an universal feeling of eympathy with his Honor in the great bereavement which has befallen him. We have to acknowledge the February number of the ' Illustrated New Zealand Herald,' which contains in addition to several other views, the burning of the immigrant ship Cospatrick, off the Cape of Good Hope, The Mosgiel Woolen Factory, a sugar plantation in Fiji, besides other views of colonial interest. Our Mount Stewart correspondent writes : — Some four years ago, five hares were turned out in this district under the auspices of the Acclimatisation Society. They have gone on increasing rapidly ever since. So very numerous have they now become that the question of thinning their numbers will ere long have to be seriously considered, unless indeed our sporting friends take the matter in hand and set about reaping the harvest that has been thus provided for them. Partridges are likewise plentiful, more especially along the banks of the Molyneux and up the river creeks. At Christchurch, on the 19 ulto James Walker, remanded from Dunedin, was committed for trial for bigamy. Evidence was given by Wm. Moffat, farmer at Balclutha, who Baid Walker was married from his house on February 17, 1864, to one Agnes Houliston, the Rev James Kirkland officiating. It was also proved that Walker and his * wife lived together till two months ago ; that the latter is still in Otago, but refused to attend. Evidence of the second marriage on September 21, 1871, was given by Susannah Craddock and Catherine Lee, the latter deposing — "On the date named in the marriage certificate produced I was married to prisoner at Christchurch. He described himself then as a single man. We afterwards lived together until 23rd November, 1871. He then left me, and I aext saw him at this court about a fortnight ago. When he left me he said he was going to work and would be back in a week.'*

The Melbourne horses, Protos and Goshawk, -will not be present at the March races; Mr H. Teend having received a telegram from "Melbourne, stating that Protos was unfit, and that Goshawk had been withdrawn from sale. Presbyterian church services will be held on Sunday by the Key. Mr M'Ara at the church, Balclutha, at 11.30 a.m. ; atLovals Flat, at 3 p.m. : and at Mount Stewart, at 630 pm. The Eev. Mr Withey the church of England clergyman will officiate at Clinton at 11 a.m., and 6 .30 p.m. We beg to remind our readers that the anniversary soiree, concert and ball in connection with the Oddfellows' Lodere, Balclutha, takes place to-morrow (Friday) evening- in Barr's Hall. In another column will be found the programme for the concert, containing the names of some of the best known amateur singers and musicians in the district. On Monday last the. railway station, Clinton, or perhaps it would be more correct to say the station-masters residence, was completed and taken over from the contractors. It is a neat square building, covering an area of 40 x 36. Although it can boast ot but few pretensions to architectural beauty it is not by any means devoid of ornamentation. It is a i house of seven compartments, and was erected at a cost of LSOO. The contractors, Messrs Burns and Whitford, late of Invercargill, have made a very creditable job of of it indeed. We have much pleasure indeed in bearing testimony to the clean and orderly condition in which tbe interior of the schoolhouse at Clinton is kept. In that respect we can say that it presents a marked contrast to many buildings of a similar nature both in this and other districts. We are also pleased to learn that the attendance of scholars is good, and that the lately appointed teacher, Mr Anderson, stands well in the estimation of parents as well as the district generally. The carrying out of the contract for the construction of the railway line between Mataura and Clmton, which was taken up a few weeks since, is reported to be getting along very well. The work is going on in three sections, viz., at Clinton, Waipahee, and at the Mataura end. The Mataura section in particular is said to be progressing rapidly. We learn that there ia every probability of a new saw mill being erected at Centre, or Wyndham Bush, in the neighborhood of Mr Anderson's station. A mill established at this place will secure a very great bora to settlers in and about Clinton. At preient they depend upon Tapanui for their timber supply, which, besides inconvenience, entails a heavy cost lor carriage. Centre bush being much nearer, these obstacles will to a great extent be obviated by the projected mill. The supply of the raw material at the place indicated, is reported to be excellent, both as regards quantity and quality. It will be obseoved by reference to our advertising columns, that the local drum and Fife band will meet at the Sussex Hall on Friday evening at 5.30 p.m., to take part in the Oddfellows' procession. A full muster of the members is requested. A serious accident took place yesterday afternoon at Mr Macdonald's saw-mill, Kaitangata. It appears that on starting work at the expiry ot the dinner hour, one of the henchmen named F. Whitney, got his right hand entangled by the saw, the result being a serious laceration to tbe hand, the thumb and fingers. Dr Smith was sent for and had the thumb and one of the fingers amputated. The following ia the financial position of the Loyal Dalton Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F. Balclutha, as shown by the report presented at the last yearly meeting : — Money dues — extras, L8 ; pence, L5 68 6d ; fines, Ll 4s 6d ; goods, L2 4s 6d ; ditto on hand, L6 ; total, L22 15s 6d. Sick and funeral fund : —pence, &c, L56 14s 9d : interest, L9; expenses, L47 lis Id ; total, LlB 3s Bd. Incidental fund : — expenses, L7B 2s 4d ; less money received, L 47 18s 4d, leaving a balance of L3O 43. A Hillend correspondent writes :— I judge from your columns that you take a lively interest in the industrial pursuits going on around you. I have therefore pleasure in communicating to you the r.sult of the season's operations at Pillan's Manuka Island Station. In all 7000 sheep were shorn, principally half-breds. The wool sold in grease at a sum of 14£ d per lb all round. The average for each sheep was 7s 9d, representing a yield of close upon 6£lbs. A couple of weeks ago we took occasion to point out a very stupid arrangement connected with the administration of the Licensing Act, requiring parties residing at Mataura, Clinton, Port Molyneux, Catlin's Eiver, Kaitangata, &c, to proceed i to Tokomairiro to transact their business at the very time when a Court for the same 1 purpose was sitting in Balclutha. We are i hapdy to say that the representation received rather more prompt attention than the district has of late been accustomed to receive at the hands of the authorities. With the view of administrating the Act for these places at tbe sitting of the Court here, three additional commissioners, viz., Messrs F. S. Pillans^ X>r. J. G. Smith, and his Worship the Mayor (Mr R. Grigor)have been appointed. These three gentlemen took their seats as commissioners under the Licensing Act for the first time at the sitting of the Court yesterday. By this new arrangement all the licensing business south of the Molyneux to the Mataura, including Kaitangata and Inch Clutha, will in future be disposed of at this Court. Our readers will learn with satisfaction that the Provincial Government have determined to proceed at once with the preliminary survey of the branch line of railway from Balclutha to Catlin's River. The object is to get it completed before tbe meeting of Provincial Council, which takes place the latter end of April or beginning of May. Mr D. Henderson, M.P.C., has shown a good deal of earnestness in urging the matter on the attention of the Government, and we are sure the district will join with us in congratulating him upon the prospect of his efforts being rendered speedily successful. We are in a position to state that the project has been well received by the Government ; : and, although no definite promise has been made, it is generally understood they will be prepared to recommend such concessions as will induce a r private company to enter into the work as a promising speculation.

We are pleased to note that the new lessee, Mr Stanbrook, is effecting great improvements in the internal arrangements of the Crown Hotel. , Amongst other additions, hot and cold baths have been added, naw kitchen ranges and other improvements effected. Mr Barty, carpenter, Balclutha, is the successful tenderer for the erection of the new premises ior the Bank of New Zealand, Balclutha. The building, which is to be j constructed of concrete, will fee composed of two storeys, consisting of a commodious residence for the manager, in addition to the banking offices. The contract price is L 1996, the contractor being bound to complete the work within a period o? four months. We regret to learn that the high winds and unpropitious weather which has prevailed for the last week or two has caused a great deal of " shake '" to the crops. On the ridges and highlands especially we have heard an estimate of ten bushels and over to the acre put upon the loss. One of the more imposing buildings in the thriving township of Clinton is the new store in course of erection by Messrs Scobie Brothers, merchants, Wairuna. It is 68 feet long by 40 feet wide, and from its central position occupies a frontage to two of the main thoroughfares in the township. The building itself is evidence of the strong faith which exists in the future of the place, a faith which so far as human foresight can go, appears the very reverse of ill founded. It will be seen by a reference to our column headed "District Railway Works" that arrangements are about shortly to be made for opening the main line from Chain Hills to Clutha. The General ManagerMr William Conyers — proposes visiting Balclutha and intermediate stations in a few days to complete necessary arrangements. He anticipates placing the matter on such a footing as will enable the through journey from Dunedin to be accomplished in the space of three hours. For the purpose of carrying out, or rather we should cay carrying on, the branch railway line to Kaitangata, its original projectors have amalgamated with the Coal Mine Company, and the necessary articles 'of association for forming a joint stock limited liability company, with a capital of L 25,000, in 2 500 shares of LlO each, have been adopted. Shares representing one-half of the proposed capital have already been taken up by parties residing in the district. The remaining half will he negotiated in the usual way through Dunedin brokers. We have qualified our introductory remarks by the words " carrying on the line." We have to state in explanation that, so confident are the projectors of the enterprise being successfully floated, they have already let contracts for forming the line, and for carrying out other preliminary works connected therewith. Advices from home announce that the plant may be expected to arrive within three months. Further particulars will be found under the column headed "District Railway Works." The ' Otago Times' Christchurch cor. respondent writes:—" What with wind and rain, some of the anticipated heavy yields of grain will, lam afraid, be somewhat deficient. In many places farmers have, however, been fortunate enough to get their crops in without beiDg affected by the above named causes. To wit, a farm at Templeton, belonging to a Mr Parker, is quoted, where as much as 1360 bushels of oats were obtained from 20 acres Another instance is recorded ofa farmer in the Lincoln district who took a second crop of wheat in succession off a 23 acre paddock, yielding 23 bushels to the acre. The harvest generally is nearly completed, and I have since heard that the wind and rain has not after all done bo much damage as was anticipated. The top price of wheat is 3s and oats 2s 9d, with a slightly falling market. Good barley is worth 4s 6d. The absence of good three and four-year-old cattle ii very noticeable at this time of the year, and prices are likely to rise, Ll 5s 6d to Ll 7s being the present quotation, whilst mutton fetches from 2d to 2jd for prime. I may here mention that at a recent sale of superior draught horses, the prices realised were from L 62 103 to L 67 10s per head." The 'Tuapeka Times' say..:— -We are in a position to state that one of our neighboring settlers offers to convey the freehold of four or five acres of his farm, or whatever quantity may be required for the purpose, to any company of men who will start a woollen factory on the came. The land is in every respect conveniently situated for the purpose, and there is a copious supply of water always within easy access, and the railway passes close to the land The only reservation made is that the donor be allowed to erect cottages for the workmen on the ground. We sincerely hope that this offer will be caught at by some of our local, capitalists, or, what '< perhaps would be better, that some steps will be taken to form a company to carry out the object stated. The following business was transacted at the meeting of the Waste Lands Boardheld on the 24th ult. :.— Mr A. Ayson applied to purchase section 27, black 11., Warepa, and a small strip adjoining, to complete his property. The ranger was- ordered to report on the state of the land.. The Chairman of Wardens of Tois Tois Hundsed forwarded a return of expediture and receipts for the year, and asked repayment of license fees collected there during 1873. The return was read. Government recommended that the following sections be declared land of special value and sold by auction on Apjil.lst, under clause 85 of the , Act, the land being of superior quality and ! improved by survey, fencing, &c. ; also that compensation be paid the runholder, and the upset prices to be as here stated:— Section $, block IV., Waikaia, L 424; section #, do do l -L306 2s; section 16, do do, Ll6B 12s. Also that sections 10, 13, and 14, of the same block, be open for application, in terms. of section 35, after April 1. The recommendation was approved of. The Government further recommended an 1 extension of the date of sale of land at Waikaka to the 10th: inst. That recommendation was likewise adopted. An application was read .from Mr Macassey,, , solicitor, requesting that the sale of Waikoekoe he postponed, pending the decision in. Mr Logan's appeaL to, the Supreme Court. The Switzprs District Land Officer advised that pre-emptive right on run 328 should be granted Messrs Stewart & Gow, as laid off by- tlie surveyor.. The request was complied with,