Local and General Intelligence.

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 89, 23 March 1876, Page 5

Local and General Intelligence.

. The Lovell's Flat railway station requrres'the atVentioV Of Hhe 'lnspector to' lay off) a means of access for passengers to aha- from the station, the ■*

only! available present : inethbd b'eing-per.itha -cattle griddle, ta j species lof v *rnftn?tn*.p,t quite \ nnsuitable fof the safe passage of human : beings. Besides, there is no road to the station for drays> the stationmaster being obliged to back down a track to the high road to ; take away farm produce. ...

Thh Mataura Bridge Township is progressing very fast, owing no doubt greatly, to the presence of the New South Wales Company's paper mill, which is paying its employees some £70 per week. Mr' Charles Humphries is just finishing an addition to his hotel. Its are is 47 feet by; 2s feet, with 23 feet eves; the ground flooris divided into two comjfartments, viz. the billiard and dining room/each 19 feet by 25 feet : most superior appointments are being provided for them-. Up stairs aresix single bedrooms and four double 'Ones, together with one private parlor opening on a-portioo-in front by glass doors. The building is the work of Mr James Sinclair, formerly of Balclutha, and reflects credit on his skill as a tradesman. The painting and paperhanging by Mr T. Tibbets, of Mataura Bridge.

THE railway formatio'h from Mataura to Clinton, which, in the hands of Messrs Lattqn and Black, the present cobtraotors, is progressing well. The contractors have nearly 100 moh'afc work on 'the line from Mataura to the Waipahee river, and expect to finish this portion of it in six months. The bridges are all let by sub-contract, land are 'to be composed of stone abutments, irbtt bark girders, and black pino frame work, the latter to come from the Tapanui saw-mills.

Wa notice numerous new and pretty cottages in the locality of Mataura Bridge. We should say there was room for another bakery establishment, or improvement in bread making, as the article how in request is very rcuggy and sour, and is a subject of complaint by every guest who visits an hotel in the neighborhood of Mataura.

Air Auckland exchange says:— "We understand that the introduction of the grub pest, which we spoke of a few a days ago, and which;i» causing stich hayOc amongst the pear and plum trees and hawthorn hedges, is attributed to Mr Justice Gillies. It seems that the grub appeared in Otago some time before it was known in Auckland, and that it is supposed to hava been brought from Dunedin in some earth which wag attached to ihe roots of plants brought up here by Judge Gillies."

Mr Orcheson, 'formerly of Balclntha, how of Tuturau, Mataura, grows fine pumpkins.- His land, in common with others in the neighbo'rliftod, "produces good turnips and clover. He informed us that he has finished his harvest, the first in the district.

Mr 3. S. A'NibEKftoN, lata of Otepopo, who recently purchased the Wiarikiki property from Mr Barraclohgh, Of Oamaru, has purchased a short horn bull, bred by Mr Wm. Todd, of tho Taieri, of Bell's Waiamea Strain. -Mr. Anderson intends stall-feeding him, on account of the tv-tv, which is very plentiful on his land. This poisonous shrub, though detracting greatly from the value of native pabtiires, is a proof of the richness of the soil for the cultivation of cereals and herbage. By-and-hy this property will form one of the finefet general farms in the district.

The Mataura Bridge School is held in the Court House, and the children have no better play ground than the back yards and gardens of their neighbours— unless they seek the street. One would have imagined that the Education Board Would provide suitable accommodation for this rising "township, whete the children and and master Would have more robm to exercise their faculties in their respective positions.

"We observe that Sir flenry Harvey, of Lovell's Flat, the well known strawberry farmer, has gone into pig rearing as Well. He has reared and sold £50 worth of pork during the last twelve months, otic litter/realising £7. He feeds on oats, vegetables and stubble. He intunds to follow the business lip/ conjointly with strawberries and rasps, end .is going, to lay out: an orchard. He has an acre and a half -of strawberries, and intends to plant more. We understand that he sold two tons of this fruit the year before last, from which he realised £140. Laßt steaann the fruit was n6t quite fib prolific, but much richer and the price higher ; we have no doubt that the net yield Was as great. It may easily he understood by those whb have large quantities on hand how thoy can obtain a fair price for them should they follow''this worthy man's example, as Otago can take some hundred tons of pickled pork and bacon in excess each year the country exists.

Ths Hillend district road leading, to Nelson's coalpits oh the railway line, is in much tteed of metalling. It never was a good road, being guiltless from its opening even of formation until the last twelve" months; During this latter period a small piece of former bogs, some two chains, has been metalled, and a clay level raised. This level, though an advantage how will, become a perfect bi?g in winter, as 'the coal carters wilt find, ; These are the only improvements wo can

observe 'during the last two yeab, and considering that in the last^year no less than 1200 tons of coal ha 3 bfeen carted up, this road, it can scarcely he -wondered* that; thp attention of the, .North Clutha Road Board is called to its condition. ;

(j The Benhar Coal -Pits.. ' Hillend. now being worked by Mr John Nelson. haye< an open face pi forty feet in depth, out of which two distinct classes of coal . are, taken. The top seam ia v'ety like 1 trie "BJaitangata,; and cirideirini? suraciehtly to lift lor soine cooking; purposes, while the bottom- 'seam is f adapted- for steam;*rafsing requirements. Ay The coal is' hauled- but on an : in«; ' : clined tramwiay.in hutches! aud'AdeliyerfedWthe' ' | level; AA. first-class, seam ;of?clay. Stated -Byi tha ; Tqkpmairiro experts, tp be' J;he >best.;yet found in i C^feb, is mm^ !at TpkomairifoiorU&'per topi AX AAj XX- j. «. , :;( M*^;£_y&Vß^ : igiii^O;... 'C3jdee't^^\',jcojtjjr: B^sv^b^ii^t'^ißomd. ',-"• ' j^earaa^p^t^ !^?fth some|ira^ . 'Sise.y^rs'^ iwhi6h«>&i^ mAmm^^Mmii&x^^^^m l^'^^^^llW^KfflEH™

Ths Taranaki papers speak of the unemployed in that province. It js contemplated to hold a public meeting, to see if it is not possible to find work for those going about idle.

We (' Mercury') understand that as soon aa the ** ladies' room " in the new Telegraph office is fitted up, two ladie8 v of the Department will be appointed to Napier office.

Tee ' North Otago Times ' reports that Messera Fleming and Hedley have obtained from 168 acres of barley crops the enormous yield of 80 bushels to the acre.

Recently, a young native woman named Ruta Ramira, of the Ngatituara, residing at Ohinemutu, was found dead hanging by the neck from a beam in her whare. A quarrel with nrr husband is supposed to have been the cause. Doubts exist as to whether the hanging was her own act. The difference in time between Sydney and Wellington is 1 hour 21 minutes. New Zealand is this amount earlier than Sydney; so that if Wellington titne is 8 p.m., the equivalent for Sydney is 6 hours 39 minutes. Thus: Wellington 8 p.m., Sydney — less 1.21 —6.39.

Mr Jennings, a Sydney squatter, has had a massive inkstand of Colonial gold, silver, and emu eggs, made for presentation to the Pope. A Poverty Bay journal says: — "Like thousands of pioneer undertakings the Poverty Bay Petroleum Company has failed, and, as is usually the case, the shareholders have to pay the piper." A New Market for Sheep : A friend of mine (says v Atticus," in the Melbourne ' Leader ') who has just returned from a long tour in tho East has -suggested a new trade — the exportation of fat stook to India, Ceylon, and the Straits* Fresh mutton is worth from one shilling to eighteenpence a pound in parts of Anglo Asia, and is of the most wretched description and quality. Sheep could be delivered from Melbourne or Sydney in three weeks ; and from the northern ports of Queensland •or Western Australia in fifteen days. I should like to see an experimental shipment; for if live cattle can be sent from South America to Southampton there should be no difficulty in sending* sheep from Australia to Calcutta. The missionaries of the South Pacific Islands, under we believe the direction of Mr Turner, the autlier of " Nineteen Years in Polynesia " (sa-s s the ' Athenaeum/) are about to comilpe a comparative grammar and lexicon of Polynesian dialects. Some of the languages spoken in tbe Polynesian groups are said to possess words very interesting to the comparative philologist. The late Dr Bleek discovered many in South Africa, which bore a close resemblance to aboriginal Indian words; and now -the Oriental origin of the Polynesian islanders is likely to be more fully established through the linguistic labors -of the missionaries.

Although Wanganui generously proTided Sir Julius Yogel with a seat in the General Assembly, it would seem that tbis was simply done to prevent him being altogether left out in the cold. It" does not follow that Wanga nui is patisfied with the administration of Sir Julius' Government. Regarding the Native Department, the ' Herald ' remarks that it swarms with the mos^ officers. Here one Native Commissioner ought to be compstent for those delicate negotiations which are still supposed to be necessary in native affairs. Nay, it must be patent to the most casual observer that there are agents who are actually engaged in making work. There are scandalous cases where native women, occpuying the most delicate relations to native agents, are performing the part of spies to the Native * Department, their " keepers " drawing pay and remaining in the Department by virtue of the information afforded.

'J he shares in the ' Southern Cross ' newspaper, according to Mr Saunders' report, appear to be at a low ebb. The shares are £10 each (paid up,) and are now in the market at £6. A contemporary says since Sir Julius Yogel became a large proprietor in this investment the Southern Cross seems to have gradually sunk in public estimation. A newspaper lives by the patronage it receives from the people, and not by the smile of a minister ; and when a journal ceases to be the exponent of public opinion it loses its value, declines in circulation, advertisements fall off, and the proprietors' shares drop from £10 to a £6 valuation.

A northern contemporary says : Sir Julius has now to tell the colony, as the results of his great policy — that that policy which was to make New Zealand the Britain of the South — that a " a period of depression is coming over," (Faith it's come) and he apparently cannot see his way to avert the coming storm. In bis dire extremity he hold out the olive branch of peace to his political opponents, and calls on them to assist him in the difficult position in which he finds himself, and also On the colony over whose destinies he has held almost supreme sway for the last seven years. Sir Julius, however, must remember that he has grave Recusations to meet and explanations to Vn.ake regarding his action in England before he can expect gentlemen who have any respect for their politcal reputation to ally with him.. The explanations must be made on the floor of Parliament where the accusations were made.

A new Roman Catholic Bishop is "soon to lie appointed for Auckland]" Two men, named Frederick Fitzgerald and Charles Pearce, were arrested on Friday, at Clyde, on a warrant from Victoria, for stealing lewellery.

The ship Maulesden, which arrived* at Pott Chalmers on Thursday last brought the following valuable English birds for Messrs. Cargill & Co.:: — 6 pheasants, 50 patridges, 1 1 larks, and 4 blackbirds.

Nelson papers contain several notices to hop-pickers of the date of commencement of the hop harvest on several plantations. The crop is said to be a very good one this year.

Reports of large diamonds at the Cape are telegraphed from Madeira, one being said to weigh 300 carats, and another, found at b'eeri, 103 carats producing the finder £3350 A silver mine is also reported to have been discovered,

A man named £!rskine, suffering from religious mania, cut of his. hand with a steam saw in Sydney.

A letter from the Kast Coaet, in the last issue of the • Waka Maori,' states " that one of the candidates to represent Eastern Maori and for whom the people are voting*, has three wives living* with him in his house;" and puts the question, in the first place, to the pakehas generally, then to the Bishop and his ministers, and then to the government and its officers, whether it is proper that such a man should be admitted into Parliament.

The New Zealand Meat Preserving Combany have resumed operations at the Washdyke Works, after an interval of more than a year.

As a warning* to municapal bodies we may mention that in the Destrict- Court, Timaru, on Tuesday last, Clara Alice Boardman sued the mayor of Timaru

for £200 damages sustained by her falling* into an unprotected drain at nighttime, thereby breaking* her leg near the ankle. His Honor awarded damag-es £125 and costs. Notice of appeal was given.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court Christchurch on Thursday, several Christchurch Publicans were charged with selling adulterated liquors, but as tbe appointment of Provincial Analyst had not been properly approved of by the Governoi*, they were all dismissed. One sample of whisky when analysed was found to contain 28 per cent, of

water.

An officer in the army laughed at a timid woman because she was almared at the noise of a cannon when a salute was fired. He subsequently married that timid woman, and six months after* wards he took off his boots in the hall when he came in late at night.

The foundation stone of the now Prpsbyterian Church. Palmerstnn was laid by Professor Salmond on Wednesday last

There were, according to the " Daily Times" forwarded on Thursday from Dunedin, to Tokomariro t,wo splendid Liecester rams bred by Gillies and Street Awamoko, Oamaru. One of them was " Yogel" which took first prize as two tooth at Oamaru in November 1874, and first prize, as four* tooth shorn mm at Oamaru, 1875. He clipped 13 ISs. of washed wool this season. " Yogel" has become tbe property- of Mr John Grey, of Waihola Gorge. The other, " Garibaldi," has been sold to Mr John Hislop, I okmairiro. These two Leicester are by the imported ram " Royal Charlie," out of imported ewes. For wool, symmetry, form, and blcod, they are about all that can be desired, and will be an acquisition to tbe breedingstock of the district to which they have been sent.

The < Daily Times' Oamaru correspondent says : — W. J. Steward, late member for Waitaki district, was presented on Thursday with a silver salver and 250 sovereigns, in recognition of the disinterested manner in which he had served the district for the last session. Mr Gibbs made the presentation, and in the course of his remarks alluded to Mr Macandrew ss "tbat wily old fox" and Mr Stout as his henchman. He expressed his unutterable astonishment at the way the constituency had turned around and elected two Provincialists. Mr Steward replied in an able speech, and stated that it was only the vote of two Maori members in the Upper House which secured the passing of the North Otago Public Works Bill and the erection of the Oamaru break-water.

A largely-attended meeting was held at Riverton, on Saturday, to support the action taken by the Town Council re the Western Railway abuses. A resolution endorsing the memorial to the Minister of Public Works from the members of the Council . was carried unanimously. Strong language against the Provincial Government and the contractor was indulged in, and it was stated it would cost more to settle the dispute about the Highland railway bridge than would have been paid for its erection.

A fatal accident happened at Richmond, Hawkes Bay, on Saturday to John Sigg'elkow, jnn.,, who was riding* after cattle, when his horse fell and rolled on him. After lying* in an unconscious state till last night, he died.

The following is the notice of Fannie Oarandini's marriage, as recorded in the Bombay papers : — On December 27, at Trinity Church, by. the' Rev. .Charles. Gilder, Henry Morland, Esq, Bombay, to Fannie Ellen Hannah, second daughter of the late Marquis di Csazano, Count di Risi, Viscount Ferraris.

The main road to Wyndham is- now in pretty good condition, the swamps having been gravelled, widened,, and ditched, Wyndham has added anothelr hotel (The Farmers' Inn) to its,progressive tendencies. Mr Fletcher is going out of the hotel business to commence grassing, Messrs Macrol-ie and Cuthbertson, of , Invercargill, ; are. endeavoring to establish quarterly sales for general stock at Wyndham, which should receive assistance of the neighboring settlers, . as it is much nearer than Mataura Bridge or Gore. If any one was speculative enough to erect suitable yards for sheep, cattle, and horse.-*, there can scarcely be any doubt that these siles would bf* established. Silver ore equal in value. to that discovered near Hokitika is said to exist in the Greymouth and Charleston districts, upon the West Coast. The ' Auckland Star ' states .*' that many families on the gold-field are in a state of absolute starvation, and that there are men and women at the Thames who have not tasted meat for two months." A moa's egg containing a young bird has been found ac Picton. The egg was broken during its. removal, but the pieces of the shell were saved, and the immature bird is in a good state of^ preservation. On Saturday forenoon the 11 o'clock train from Dunedin to Balclutha broke down at Green Island, and a delay of something* like half an hour occurred before the passengers were forwarded on to their destination. The ' Wanganui Herald ' records the first' instance of adult baptism in the Presbyterian Church here. It is informed that a young* lady had formerly been a Catholic, and on the occasion of changing her faith desired the rite of baptism. On Thursday afternoon a young man named James Oheyne had the two forefingers and thumb of the left hand taken off by a circular saw, in Mess rs Burt and Murdock's establishment, in Cumberland- street, Dunedin. The 'Fiji Times' characterises Vogel's proposition that Fiji should subscribe £10,000 to the postal subsidy, as rather absurd. It says consent or refusal cannot possibly affact the question of the mail steamer calling at Fiji. There are fearful accounts from Queensland. The back country is iv want of water and feed. Thirty thousand cattle are now on the frontage of the river, at Warego, which has dried up. The thermometer stands daily at 112 in the shade.

A very useful little institution (says the Wellington 'Evening P.ist') has been in existence for more thnn three years in connection with the Ghuzneestreet School, Te Aro, in the shape of a penny savings bunk for the children. Tbe idea originated with • the Yen Archdeacon Stock, who has curried it out most efficiently and successfully, at the cost of no inconsiderable personal trouble and labor. The present, balance in hand amounts to no less thau £151 Is. The rule is that no larger sum than Is can be deposited at one time, and that interest is allowed on sums of <£! and upwards. So many as 350 children at the present time are depositors in this bank, which is an admiraole device for inculcating habits of providence and economy.

When a faithless wife chooses to elope with another man, it may reasonably be cunceeded that her husband would willingly get rid of her, but when the furniture vanishes with her the case assumes a different complexion. The Police arrested two gay Lotharios at Clyde on Sunday who were involved in an affair of this sort. Frederick Fitzgerald and Charles Pearson were apprehended by virtue of a warrent issued at Echuca, Victoria, charging them with stealing a pianoforte, silver tea service, and other valuables, the property of John Schick, eloping to New Zealand with Mrs Schick, in December last. They will probably be sent down to Dunedin, and detained here untill the depositions and a Police officer arrive from Victoria, whence they will be escorted to meet the irate Mr Schick.—' Daily Times.'

At the Mrtaura a few days ago (says the ' Southland News'), Mr Turnbull, who has for some time being acting as magistrate, mentioned that he had sent in his resignation. We understand that Mr Turnbull has accepted the appointment of resident agent at lovercargill of tbe New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, in consequence of Mr Calder,' of the firm of Messrs. Calder, Blacklock, and Co., retiring* faom business, and they havino* sola their business to the Company,

The Salmon ova for New Zealand arrived at Sydney, by the Durham, on iVI onday and will be forwarded by the first steamer.

The case of bribary and corruption in the late East Coast election came on for hearing at Taurang'a on Monday On the first indictment Major Pitt was committed to stand ' his trial. The second indictment is still before the Court. Some dissatisfaction is expressed against the committal on the ground tliMt the evidence in the first indictment, was not sufficiently strong. Major Koberts, acting It. M., sat alone. Mr Rees appeared for the prosecutor, "and Mr Hesketh for the defence. Only one. witness was called in the first indictment, and he openly admitted personal bias and motives of revenge against Read. He is a Pekeha Maori named Eairfax Johnston,