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Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 112, 1 September 1876, Page 5

We have to remind members of the Clutha Agricultural and Pastoral Society of the annual meeting to be held this day week. A meeting of the inhabitants of Caversham was called for last night, to consider the political situation.

We have again to call attention to the

sale of jewellery, &c.', in Mr Capstick's rooms, Milton, to-morrow afternoon.

The City Council of Dunedin at its meeting on Wednesday night finally determined 'upon having street tramways! laid down in the yrincipal streets:

We understand that Messrs Ferguson and Co. , of Tapahui, have let their corner snop to the National Bank, which is about to open a branch in that township.

We are glad to' scie that Mr Alfred Jones, 'of Milton, is able to be about again. On Saturday last he 'had a drive as far as Waihola, and we trust he will soon be able to resttme active duty.

The Guardian's Wellington correspondent telegraphs that the most ardent Vogelworshippera in Wellington city now cbude'nin him, and think no name harsh enough to "call him.

On Wednesday last the Balclutha police arrested a- man named M'Phee, who was wanted at Christchurch to answer a charge of wife desertion. The prisoner was forwarded t6 Diine:lin yesterday morning;

The "Clinton and Matanra Railway formation is progressing favorably ; and the contractor trusts to be able to hand over the section from Longford to the Waipahi Bridge to the Government next month.

In our advertising columns will be found the programme of the Cricket Club concert, to be given in Barr's Hall on Wednesday next. The programme is a varied and excellent one, and will suit the tastes of all.

A practice meeting of the Milton Chess and Draught Club was held in the Athenamm building on Tuesday evening, when about ten gentlemen took part in the games. Mr George Capstick is President of the Club, which already numbers twenty members.

At the last meeting of the Star of Inch Clutha Lodge, 1.0.G-.T., it was agreed to hold the meetings of this Lodge fortnightly, instead of weekly as heretofore. The attendance was good, and after the business of the Lodge was concluded, a few readings and a song or two were heartily received. In fliture, until further notice, the meetings of this Lodge will be held fortnightly.

The Committee, imder whose auspices the recent political meeting was held in Duuediu, have formed themselves into a permanent Committee, to watch the course of events. They will hold weekly meetings and take further action if found necessary. They have also res< lye 1 to open up communication with the country districts, so that combined action may be taken throughout the Province if found desirable.

Messrs Stewart and Thomson, tinsmiths and plumbers, haVe just built and entered into possession of new premises in Lanark-street, where they will in future carry on their business, in alllt3 branches. In order to enable them to do this, they have procured all the necessary ma chines connected therewith, and possessing -all the latest improvements. As Balclutha is at present progressing rapidly there must bo a considerable amount of plumber work to do, and we have no doitbt Messrs Stewart and Thomson will have a good share.

We regret to Have to report a fatal accident which occurred on Sunday last. While Neil iTLernan, aged 20 years', employed at the Clydevale Station", and William Black were crossing the Pomahaka River on a koladdy 'raft, M'Lernan by some means got off the raft into the river, and was 'not again seen alive. Black also got into the river, but managed to |svnm ashore. The body of the deceased was found on Wednesday, and an inquest was held by Dr Smith and a jury yesterday, when a veidict of accidental death was returned.

The first annual meeting of the Olutha, Tapanui, and Matauva Building and Land Society was held in the Athenasum building on Wednesday evening. R. M'Ovren, Esq.", president of the .Society, occupied the chair, and there was a capital attendance. The annual report by the Committee and balance-sheet were submitted and adopted. TTive applications were received for the appointment of secretary. Mr Alex Stewart was the successful candidate. It was left with tike President to arrange with the Athenseum Committee for the meetings of the Society being held in the Atheneeum-hall. Ther'6 was no other business before the meeting.

On August 15, a German navvie, Wilhelra Gutschlag, working oa the Mataura-to-Clinton Railway, had a narrow escape for his life. A man, named Peter Ross, alsT a navvie on the same line; took Gutschlag's wheelbarrow, and when Gutschlag w'6nt to ask him to return, it, Ross attacked him with his spade, cutting a ghastty wound on his left cheek just under the eye, and injuring his right arm so that it will be useless for sonic time to come. A warrant was at once obtained from Mr Roberts, J.P. at W.iipahi, arid constable Collins marched Ross off to Tapstntii, where the ruffian had the honor of contributing £o to the Colonial Revenue. But poor GutSehlag got nothing to pay him for his severe injuries or loss of time,

At the conclusion of the Town Oolincii meeting 6n Tuesday evening, a meeting of the Cemetery Committee was held, and a conversation ensued as to the present position of the grdund, It was pointed out that numerous improvements were required, and it was resolved that in the meantime the southern portion of the ground should be trenched, and the ground at the sides of the road leading to the cemetery ploughed up and prepared for plauting with trees. It was also resolved that separate books should be kept for cemetery affair's. The Town Clerk was | instructed to procure the same. A Commit* 6 3 consisting of Messrs Masou, Cramond, and Hope, were appointed especially to attend to cemetery affairs. The ordinary mdntlily meeting 61 the Balclutha Athenaeum Committee was held in the library on Monday evening. T^here were, present : Mr T. T. Ritchie, President j and Messrs Paterson, Rev. M'Ara, .Robertson, and A. Grigor. The minutes of last meeting were read and confinked. Mr RobeVtsou reported that Mr Sapdilands was engaged making the latch kej'a. the cost of which would be 2s. each. He expected they would be finished witliin a •week. The Sec : retary reported tliat the catalogue was just about compiled, and would be in the hands of the printer in a few days. He read over a number of rules which he suggested should be appended to the catalogue; and the same were ordered to be printed at same time: He also reported that he had let to the Town Council, for Corporation purposes only, one of the front rooms at a rental of £28 a year : approved of. Sundry small accounts were passed for payment* and the meeting adjourned.

It is runiored that young Robert's may posaibty play a few games at llilfcou on his way to Dunodin. A correspondent says he hope;--this will prove corr<;cl, a3 tlie billiard players there want a little waking up.

On Saturday 26th iilt., Mr M'Kay the sub-contractor for the Wai pah i Railway Bridge, met with a slight accideut by falling off the pier into the river. Dr Bogle, from Clinton, attended to him ; and we hope lie will soon be able to resume his work.

As an instance of tlie change which is taking place in the administration of public affairs throughout tlie Colony, it may be mentioned that hitherto when any large work of public utility was desired, or public grievance had to be removed, a vote was asked from the Provincial Council for the purpose, and which usually \vas obtained. Now, apparently all such votes are to be substituted by " ample powers of taxation." As an instance, the Bill which the Select Committee of the House of Representatives appointed to consider the rabbit nuisance in Southland have brought forward, proposes simply to give power to the highway boards to. tax, and to bodies elected by owners and lessees of land to elect committees and ■ to enforce taxation. Such may be regarded as the amount of assistance in local matters which may be expec* c 1 should the country be ruled from Wellington. Fortunate will such Boards and local bodies find themselves if they are even allowed to expend the amount they raise by taxation, without tho Same having to go through, the sweating process in the Empire City.

0. E. Hanghton, late Undei'-Secretaiy in the Immigration Department, "Wellington, was arrested in Danedin on Monday afternoon, just as he was leaving for Port Chalmers to join the mail steamer for England. The charge is the commission of an unnatural offence. The accused was brought up before the City Police Court, acid remanded to Wellington, he being admitted to bail, himself in £400, and two sureties of £200 each. A telegram from Wellington says : — " The information was laid by express order from the Government. He had obtained six months' leave to visit England oh urgent private affairs, but after his departure strange rumors were circulated, and some members of the Legislative Council wont to Ministers and- accused them of conniving at his escape, threatening to bring the matter before the Coivucil if they did not order his arrest. The most extraordinary rumors and great astonishment prevail here on the subject/ It is also rumored that Mr Haughton was to have an appointment under Sir Julius Yogel in the Agent-Ge&eral's Office", London.

At a congregational meeting held in the Kaitangata Church on Friday evening last, the Committee appointed at a previous meeting brought up their report; The report was wai-mly discussed for a considerable time, and after several motions and amendments had been made and withdrawn, it was proposed by Mr D. N. Blackie, and secdiided by Mr C. Smaill, that subscription list's be prepared, and the district thoroughly canvassed, in order to find how much could be -raised towards erecting a new church. This motion was carried unanimously, and Messrs J, Smaill and H. Darling were appointed to visit the settlers on Inch Clutha, Messrs A. Blactie and D. Dunn the township above the bridge, aud Messrs P. fitoddarfc and G. Steven the settlers below the bridge, while Messrs Paterson and Mitchell were appointed to visit Wangaloa. Jt is earnestly to,-b' c hoped tha t the collectors will meet with abundant success, as increased church accommodation is urgently required, the present building being already uncomfortably crowded in fine weather.

The first competition between the Balclutha and Imperial (both local) football clubs took place in Barr's jiaddock on Friday last. R. Barr, the Imperial skipper, won the toss, and decided to tak& advantage of a good stiff breeze that was blowing down the ground. The game was commenced in earnest by the Imperials, who seemed determined to obtain a Victory, if possible, and until half-time, Kept the play pretty lively in the vicinity of their opponents' goal, the ball going 'Several times almost between the posts,- but Cowie and his meG desperately warded off 'the attack for a time. The wind was of grea t service to the Imperials, and ten minutes before time. Hogg, getting hold of the ball from a scrimmage, put it safely between the flags, and scored first goal for the Imperial side; At halftime, ends were changed, and the Balclutha team, having now the advantage of the wind, and. being the superiors iii weiglit, made the play exceedingly warm in the neighborhood of the Imperial stronghold, and on one occasion the ball hit one of the goal posts, greatly to the disappointment of the Balclutha players, who were confident of a goal. The Imperials made gallant efforts to drive the ball into more neutral ground, but without success, when, about fifteen minutes before time, R. Mason, by a bit. of very Questionable play, succeeded in driving the ball between the posts, tlnis making a goal for Balclutha. As no more goals were obtained, the game ended in a draw.