The Clutha Leader. THURSDAY, MARCH 9th, 1876.

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 87, 9 March 1876, Page 5

The Clutha Leader. THURSDAY, MARCH 9th, 1876.

Regarding tbe chief object of anxiety in connefction with the illfated Strath- | more — the fate of the passengers and > erew — the long and painful mystery has now been cleared up. That which is sometimes felt to be a grateful relief from suspense and anxiety—the worst j — -has now been ascertained. Full par- ; ' ticulars of the terrible catastrophe and and as to how the survivors managed to j sustain life for a period of seven months upon a barren island will yet be eagerly looked for. But in the meantime we know the worst. A telegram from Galle, dated 3rd instant, says:—" The Strathrnore was wrecked on the Twelve Apostles Rock, Crozets, on the night of June 30th, Of 88 souls 49 landed; the remainder were lost, including Miss Henderson. Five died ashore, including Mr Henderson, from exposure. The others subsisted miserably for seven months, Nothing was saved. The boats were lost. The survivors were resued by the whaler Phoenix ; half were transhipped to the ship Sierra Morena, which landed at Galle on the 24th February the following first-class passengers : — Bently and Islin ; third class, Rood, Ward, Ward, Standing*, Wilson, Wilson, Wright, Sendi, and eight df the crew. The whaler proceeding to Mauritius, and landed the following : —First-class, Wordsworth, Mrs Wordsworth, Walker, Keith, nnd 20 of the crew.

' Oliß usual leading article is crowded out, -also "Signs of the . Times,"— "SwatowV' letter received too late ' for publication in this issue. Besides, he has omitted to give his name.

We regret to l^arn that in the Kaihiku and Waiwera districts, especially, the wheat crops have | been considerably, damaged by frost. We are informed that in one instance the damage was so great that the owner considered the crop utterly valueless, and set fire to it and burned it down. •

Captain HAWYARD.of Catlin's River, reports : —The nnrober of vessels arrived for tbe past month was seven, 303 tons register ; and eleven sailed, 464 tons regisler. Six were , sent to Dunedin, two to ©amaru, two to Lvttleton, and one to Tim'artt. Six loaded at the Big Mill, and five at the Owake Mill This shows a considerable decrease in the, shipping to this port, owing I suppose to the timber market being overstocked, but let tts hope this is only temporary.

Active .'progress is beiDg made with the ballasting of the Kaitangata Railway. This opera-, tion is how completed from the coal pit to within half si mile of the Stirling Station. The worst part of the line has thus been; finished, and it is expected the whole will be completed within a, week. The "tunnelling to the coal pit is being pushed on, arid the mine iB expected to be fully developed -in the course of a month.

We regret to learn that scarlet fever is" still prevalent and "spreading in the Kaitangata distrifet. At first'it Was only of a very mild nature, but now it seems to have assumed a more serious aspect. About 25 cases have occurred in the district, and Dr Smith Ti'as at present two patients on hand. It would be well that the community should adopt every precaution against the spread of the disease.

We are pleased to know that arrangements are [ being made for giving the Clutha representatives at the Colonial Prize Firing a becoming reception on their return from the North. In order to prevent any misunderstanding we will mention so far as we koow, the steps which have been taken in the matter, A meeting of the No. 2 Company was held in barr's Hall on Friday evening, at which the matter was talked over, and when it Was considered advisable that both companies and the public should unite in giving the reception. A deputation was appointed to wait upon the members of No. 1 Company to ascertain their mind upon the subject. The result was that"|the Inch Clutha Company qiute agreed as to the parties who should take part in the demonstration. A few members of No. 1 Company visited Balclutha on Monday evening, and held an imprompfoi meeting with representatives of No. 2 Company, the Mayor, and others, when definite action was taken iv the matter. It was resolved tbat the reception should take the formjof a ball and supper, to be held in Balclutha on Tuesday evening, and the following gendemen wero appointed a Committee to carry out the whole arrangements : — Messrs Cramond (Mayor), Darling, Smaill, Mason, Macdonald, Grigor, Anderson, Stewart, Hogg, and Fleming (Seci-etary), J. Robertson, Treasurer. The price of the tickets was fixed .at 12s (3d. each (double), and it was arranged that the ball should be held in Barr's hall, and commence at 9 o'clock sharp. Sundry other preliminary arrangements were made at the meeting. It will thus be'seen that the two Companies of Clutha Rifles and the public have most cordially united in this matter. We trust that all classes of the community will feel interested in the forthcoming demoustration, and lend a helping hand to make it the success which ib ought to be. The Clutha is not generally behind in acknowledging merit in whatever cause it may be manifested, and we have no doubt that the usual character of the inhabitants will be fully maintained on this occasion.

The Balmoral Road Board are metalling fortyfour chains of the main district road, Hillend, while they have formec forty-four chains more. They have spent during the current year -£1000 on their roads.

Speaking- of work and wages, we observe that Latton and Black, of the Clinton-Mataura Railway contract, are giving first-rate pick and shovel men 9s per day, while inferior men are employed by piece- wsrk.

Mr .John Denton, of Glenore, is the possessor of some of the best bred pigs in Otago. The breeds are Berks and Long White. The other day Mr Denton gave £28 for four of these animals, which he considers worth £35.

New Caledonia advices states a severe hurrican occurred, on the 23rd ultimo, doing considerable damage to houses and shipping. Next clay mjTiads of grasshoppers passed over, leaving no vestige of herbage.

A correspondent writes to a Dunedin contemporary, complaining of an outrageous interruption to the service held last Sunday evening in the Drill Shed, Mosgiel. The disturbers were three drunken men, who attempted to knock over the lamps. The audience were obliged to disperse.

Mrs Murphy of the "Bridge Hotel, Kaitangata, has just completed extensive additions to her hotel. A number of good bed-rooms have been added, and the whole arrangements of the hotel are such as to ensure comfort to visitors.

We observe that the land at Tv Tv Hill, Waipahee, is particularly suitable for the production of cereals. Mr Joseph H. Kelson, who owns the abovenamed farm, ha 3 raised first-rate malting barley and black oats this season. ■ This land was formerly celebrated for the amount of Tv Tv growing on it, and the destruction produced thereby to travelling mobs of stock.

~ The following item of English news is dated 4th March:— Mr B. Knap ? Secretary of War to the United States, has resigned his position on account of the disclosure of the sale of a public post by him. Congress intends Ira impeach ment. — A loan required by the Municipal Council of Dublin for the improvement of the city was subscribed to the extent of seven times the required amount. — The wheat market is unchanged.

. We recently had the pleasure of looking at two 2-tooth Leicester rams, lately imported by Mr Robert Sutherland, of Albert Downs, Kaihiku. They were purchased from Lord Polwortb, of Roxburghshire, Scotland, who is well known to be the greatest breeder of this stock in Britain, The sheep are square-backed, compact, and having splendid staple of long wool, and are in every way equal to the finest of their class we have seen in Otago.

Mr Htslop, of the Education Board, visited Lovell's Flat on Saturday for the purpose of viewing the site of the Lovell's Flat District Schoolhouse, to be situated on half an acre of land bought sometime ago by the Education Board from Mr Forsyth for the sum of £30, The school is now centrally situated, the most distant pupils to the north-west being about two miles, to the south-east about the same distance. This school was formerly located on trial at. Tuakitoto, which is part of the Lovell's Flat dis-' trict.

Settlers in and around Wangaloa are very busy wibh their harvest. Most of the crops are cut, and many of the fields are cleared and stacked. We understand Mr MTarlane intends to commence thrashing next week, and Mr Black's mill is already on the premises. . Farmers in this neighborhood ai-e to be congratulated on having such a machine in their midst ; it is 'well known in the Clutha district for turning out a good sample of grain, .and being personally superintended by -Mr Black, anyone employing him may rely, upon all care being exercised in their behalf. The crops throughout the whole district of Wangaloa are very good, and unusually heavy returns may be anticipated.

THE hares let loose on the Hillend district have proved to be a very- drstructive p6&t to some of the. farmers located there. The garden of Mr James Bishop, and liis carrot crop has been almost totally destroyed by their ravages, half an acre of the last named vegetable being one item, the wholft of tlie fruit trees and other garden stuff being another. However much the public owe to the Acclimatisation Society for the introduction of other more useful creatures, in this last particular it cannot be said that their indebtedness is of the most happy character. Cannot the " Society " frame laws to protect the cultivators. We. would advise farmers who have small orchards and gardens to put up common iron wire-laced fencesf round them. ' Individual trees are protected yery simply and inexpensively by means of galvanised iron wire netting being passed round their stems, allowing a space' of six or eight inches from the tree to form the mean diameter of tho cylinder ; thus a tree, six inches in diameter would require a piece of wiio netting fifty-four inches in length to" protect it '; a smaller tree, say two inches through,' Would only take two feet of the same. ,

A meeting of the 'inhabitants "of "the Mount Cargill district was held in the local school-room, on last Wednesday evening, for ."the. purpose of taking leave of Mr Wm. Morris,* yvho has been 'their missionary for the" last 12 or 13 years, and who is now called to occupy the Puertia charge .during the absence of the Rev.; Mr Bannerman. The chair occupied by the teacher, Mr Arthur Worsop, who stated that, owing to the vbry short notice that they had- I—having1 — having received their first •intimation, of such an event on the previous, Saturday only— tlie inhabitants could, 'haraly realise tlie fact of Mr Morris leaving them '; and at 'any rate wpuld not look upon this asa :pernianent farewell,., hoping that he would.be- spared to return to them. .The chairman then handed: Mr Morris the sum of £12, 'as a tbken of the' esteem' and affection, entertained for him by .th*** inhabitants of the, district, and added to it their sincere wishes for his 'future prosperity,- hopitfg : 'tiurt : he would be as successful in is new chargeaS he had been, in their district: Mr Morris" returned thanks in. a yery earnest speech,, alluding, in very •grateful terms, to the support iand attention he had met with during the whole term of his miriisteration • and concluded hy exhorting his hearers , to "Continue steadfast in one mind, striving together : for the faith of the Gospel." A hymn was then sung, and after the ' blessing Ind been pronounced the meeting closed. 'Times.'

The Ens-lish mail via San Francisco, was delivered in Balclutha, on Tuesday.

Scarlet fever ot a mild type has made its appearance in Havelock.

The Waitaki bridge has no-fr been completed and will shortly be formally opened.

A..REPORT is being circulated to the'effeet that Mr Vincent Pyke "is thought by many to be the coming man " for the post of Junior Resident Magistrate in Dunedin; - - ,

Slight shocks of earthquake still continue to be felt at intervals at Oamaru. One is reported to have occurred at 7 o'clock on Tuesday evening.

The township of Tapanui has been created a municipality, and the necessary officers for preparing the Citizens Roll appbinted.

The * Taranaki Herald ' states that the site for the State Prison at Moturoa has not only been purchased, but that the money lias been paid to the owrers for it ; also, that the plans for the prison are in a forward state, and will shortly be ready.

The annual soiree of the Presbyterian Congregation, here, lias been fixed to take place in Barr's Hall, on the evening of Thursday, the 6tb April.

A CASE of very sudden death occurred in the township yesterday. It appears Mrs Macrae of Levell's Flat had driven to town in the forenoon. About 12 o'clock she called at the shop of Mr A. Mason, shoemaker, on some business. She took unwell while sitting in the shop, was put to bed and never again spoke. She expired in half an hour. Heart disease ia supposed to have been tho cause, but an inquest will be held today.

A BUTCHER named John Storey, committed suicide by hanging himself at Christchurch, on Monday night.

The narrow gauge communication direct from Christchurch to Timaru was opened on Monday. Hitherto there has been a most inconvenient break of gauge at Rolleston, 16 miles from Christchurch. " .

The immigration agent at Auckland reports the demand for agricultural laborers and single girls to be in excess of supply.

The Superintendent of Auckland has instructed a solicitor to try a friendly suit against the General Government for the recovery of capitation allowance stopped to pay interest on railways.

On Tuesday it was decided by the Port Chalmers Town Council that a certain letter sent in should be received and considered in 100 years. Query : Does this practically shelve the question or is it only superannuated ? We trust that a proper minute will bo taken of the resolution, and that it will be duly transferred from book to book, until date. — 'Guardian.'

A great number of Maoris have assembled at Clive for a gathering to take place this week on the occasion of the erdiibition of the bones. of the Chief Te Maonui, buried there 12 years ago. Natives from all parts of tho Colony arc present. A largo consumption of eatables aud drinkables is probable, the expenditure reaching some thousands of pounds.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Balclutha School Committee, was held in the Schoolroom on Monday evening. There were present, Messrs Cramond, '(chairman,) Bain, (Secretary), Stewart, Fleming, Hope, Robertson, and Mason. Several small matters in connection with the cleaning and lighting of the schoolrooms, necessary repairs, &c. were talked over, "but there was no business of any importance before the meeting,

As apples and plums and other garden fruits are now about ripe we understand some, midnight garden thieves have already commenced business. The only detectives who can deal effectively with this class of criminals are good watch dogs, and if the useless curs which are to be found throughout the township were replaced by really useful animals, Aye should hear less of thefts from gardens,

Meetings of the Balclutha Jockey Club were held on the evening of Friday, in the Newmarket Hotel, and on Monday evening in the Crown Hotel. The result is the excellent programme, which will be found in our advertising, columns, of the forthcoming races at Balclutha. The date fixed for the races is the 13th and 14th proximo, the week after the Tokomairiro raaes, and there is every reason to believe first class horses will be brought forward to contest the honors and the stakes on the occasion.

It will be observed by an advertisement that the nomination of a -Councillor for South Ward, in room of Mr A. Stewart resigned, will take place at noon, on Friday, next week, and the poll, if any, on the following Wednesday, In connection with this matter, it is right the. Electors should bear in mind that no one who is in arrear in the payment of rates can vote at the elestion. The Council apparently considers that it is high time tbe balance of rates for the past year were paid up, and have therefore given definite instructions that all who shall not. have paid by Tuesday first be at once summon od without further notice.

A gentleman informs us flat on Tuesday last he flushed two coveys of partridges, one of eight and the other six birds, behind Mr John M'Farlano's, Wangaloa. Pheasants are also very plentiful in the district.

Market gardening seems to be -a very rcnu merative business in some quartern. . A gentle man infoims us that by last mail he had a letter from a friend in Guernsey,, in which ho mentioned that during the past season he had grown, 100,000 plants of broccoli and cauliflower, which realised £700 in the. London Market.

We understand that the officers and members of the Tokomairiro Lodge of Good Templars will pay a complimentary visit to tbe Balclutha Lodge, to-morrow evening. We have no doubt there will be a full attendanco and considerable fraternal greeting on the occasion.

A NEW lodge of the Independent Order of ( Good Templars was opened at the Schoolhouse, Inch Clutha, on Tuesday evening, on which occasion there was 'a large attendance of the settlors and other inhabitants of the district, the schoolroom being welt filled. Bro. Cameron, of Dunedin, a special Deputy of 'the Grand Worthy Chief Templar conducted the proceedings,* assisted, by a number of officers of the Balclutha and Kaitangata lodges. Besides these officers a considerable number of the members 6f these lodges were also pi-esent. Bro. Cameron having been introduced by Bro. Fleming,, briefly explained to the meeting the object of the meeting, the principles of the order and tlie natttre of the obligation,. after which all present who were not' members of the order were asked to retire. The lodge was then opened in the usual form and seventeen new members were initiated into, tho mysteries of the order : and ope was admitted on clearance card from tho Kaitangata Lodge. After the initiaiy ceremonies it was resolved that' tho name of- the. lodge be "The Star of Inch Clutha.". The officers for the present term were then elected and. installed aff follows :—W.C.T., . Rro. M'Neur ; W.V.T., Brfc-M'Kerizie ; W.S., Bro. Inglis ; W.F.S,, Bro. ft. M'Kinlay ; W.T., ,| Bro. P. Lftwson ;tW.6., Bro. Rev. J. M. Allan ; I W.M., Bro. Mosley; W.1.G., Bro. Smith;) W.0.G., Bro. Bell ; R.H.S,, Sister Watt; L.H.S. Bro. Jphn Henderson-; /D.M.,.8r0. Japp ; A.5., .. Bro Watt; Bro. James M'Linlay..was elected L.D. , and Bro. Milne P. W.C.T. The W.C.T briefly returned thanks for -the honor the. members had csmferred'upon him by electing him to. the highest position in the lodge. He expressed the hope that the lodge would have a prosperous career, and that -the members, would, experience; all the benefits &ood Templarism was calculated to afford. It' waS'then resolved that the -meet-.' "iugs of the lodge be.-held.:once a # fortnight on Tuesday evenings; that the. initiation fee for males be '2s . fid, and for females Is 6d ; the ■Quarterly fee foi- males 2s 6d, and for females 'is&d. The necessary regalia w,as Ordered, to V procured and paid for. out of the lodge funds. , A hearty vote 'of thanks was passed to Br<->7 Cameron for his attendance and service;*. The ' proceedings were then brought to. a close flfrpvtly , after 11 o'clock. V „'-*''-..

The crops of the Waiwera, Clinton, Wairuna, and Waipahee districts have been vory prolific this season.

Me David Templeton, of Wairuna, is putting up a shop at Clinton for the purpose of establishing a green grocery.

Thk Hillend people are still agitating for a Post-office. The site seems to be a matter of some difficulty, as everyone would like it to be. near their locality, and the district being one of considerable extent, this is rather a difficult j matter to arrange. However,, if the people' 1 would take the necessary steps they might bring this subject to some definite end.

The stage for pile driving at the new bridge across tbe Matau is being proceeded with, and will shortly be ready to commence operations. Mr Wilson, the contractor, recently leased a piece of ground .adjoining the site of the . bridge, from Mr R. M'Kenzie, and we observe he has already had a large quantity of timber drawn to and stacked upon it. Thus the good weather has wisely been taken advantage of as the road to the saw mill is sometimes in a bad state during the winter months.

A joint deputation from the Town Council of Ralclutha, and the Matau Road Board have arranged'to wait upon his Honor the Superintendent this forenoon, to impress upon the Government the necessity of having the road between Stirling and the railway terminus metalled and put in a proper state of repair before the winter sets in. It is evident that unless thia bo done tho road will become impassable during the wet weather, and the carriage of goods to or from the railway station will be stopped. We daresay the deputation will find a few other important matters affecting the town and district to bring nuder the attention of his Honor at the same time.

A cob-respondent writes':— "Kaihiku" in a recent issue of the 'Leader,' says a grain merchant, informed him that grain thrashed by Mr Hay's mill was worth 3d a bushel more than samples thrashed by some other 'mills. - Would Kaihiku kindly furnish me with the name of the merchant as I should like to do a little business with him. "Were he "to give you the name I daresay you would oblige me by forwarding it. As an inducement for him to comply, with my request, I agree, should I find his assertion to be fact, that I will give him a good commission npon our transactions. I mean business yon know."

The following notes arc from Catlin's River : — Mr Reay's farm produces first rate turnips canal to anything south of Dunedin.— Mr, George Sutherland, of Catlin's River, has leased the education reserve on the Owake flu,t and drained it by a ditch of 116 chains, 4ft. wide by 3ft. deep. — M'Pherson and M'Kenzie of the Owake Saw Mills, Catlin's River, are engaged in putting down a half moon tramway, about half a mile above the mills. The half circle will, embrace sixty chains from end to end, and supply the mill with from 20 to 30 logs a clay. .The tramway is being laid by H. J. Guilford, contractor. — The road to the landing on tho Owake Rriver, Catlins, is boing pitched and metalled by Messrs Sinclair and Marr, contractors. This very desirable object will provide an outlet to the producers in the district.

Cricket Notes.— The Clutha eleven against the Bruce Club will be selected from tho following, viz., Cook, Clark, Davis, Hawson, Hennessy, Loudon, Mooie, M'Girr, M'Kay, Mason, Renner, Smith, Stanbrook, and Spence. The final selection cannot be made until Friday,'' as it is uncertain whether, several of those named can get away. The abovenamed fourteen are specially requested td attend practice on Friday at 4.30 p.m. Those selected will proceed to Milton by tlie 7.5 train on Saturday. — The match between fourteen c-£ the ** Stars " and seven of the senior Club has so far residted as follows :— Starrs' fitst innings, 28 ; second innings, 78, with 12 wickets down. The Seniors -were disposed of for the small score bf 31 in their first inning, so that they will have 'to play well in their second, in order to save a defeat. They, have had considerable difficulty in getting together, and have had to play purely a scratch seven. In our next we will give a review of the match. — Yesterday evening a single wicket match was .played between Mr Thomas Stanbrook and Mr Renner, the latter proving the victor by 2. — A match, ' * Town v. Country," is on the tapis, and will probably take placo at Balclutha on Saturday week.