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Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 149, 18 May 1877, Page 5

The City of New York is expected to arrive at Auckland to-morrow with the English snails. The storm experienced last week has now abated, and we have hard frosts with bright sky and warm sunshine. It is expected the railway from Invercargill to Waipahi will be open in the course of a month. The body of John M'Doull, lately drowned at the Owake, has not yet been found, •and is not likely now to be ever recovered. We have received a second letter signed Ratepayer, but as the writer has failed to furnish his name, his communication cannot be published. It has been arranged that the Tokomairiro Farmers' and Tradesmen's Races will be he held in Mr M 'Gill's paddock on Thursday first. Queen's Birthday. It will be seen by an advertisement that ihe presentation to J. A. M'Kenzie, Esq., manager "National Bank of New Zealand here, will take place at the Newmarket Hotel at 9 o'clock this The tender of Mr Hollick, of Milton, for the construction of cattle-pens and way-side stations on the Dunedin and Clutha Railway line, has been accepted by the Public Works Department, the amount being £625. "We are requested to call the attention of Jour Lovells Flat readers to the fact that the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper will be dispensed in the church there on Sabbath first at 1 2 o'clock noon, instead of three o'clock as formerly. We have to remind owners of dogs that the annual license was due on the Ist May. The police are now engaged collecting the fees on behalf of the County Council, and we understand ihe instruction is to have the money without delay. To save trouble and unpleasantness the fees should be remitted to Sergeant Daly at once. When just going to press last night, we received a letter from Mr J. W. Thomson, M.M.R., with reference to the Waitepeka deviation, and tbe remarks made by Mr M'Lean regarding the delay with the Balclutha and Clinton section, when recently waited upon by a deputation of Dunedin -merchants. The letter, which fully explains the whole matter, will appear next -week. It will be observed by an advertisement that Mr J. W. Jago, G.W.G.T. for tbe Middle Island of New Zealand, will deliver a lecture in the Athena-urn hall on Wednesday evening first. Although under the auspices of tbe local Lodge of Good Templars, the lecture will be fopen to all. Mr Jago's abilities and popularity as a public lecturer are well known in Otago, and we trust tbe Athenamm Hall will be crowded on Wednesday evening. We have to call attention to the dis- . plenishing sale at Mr William Grant's Greenhill -and Longbridge farms, South Tokomairiro, on Friday next week. We understand Mr Grant is al*out> to leave the district, and therefore the whole stock, implements, etc., will positively be told without reserve. This is a chance for purchasers such' as rarely occurs in the district, and we have no doubt there will be a large attendance -and keen competition. We understand the settlers of the district intend giving Mr George M' Donald a day's ploughing on Thursday next. Mr M'Donald has just entered into possession of Mrs Bowler's fine farm, Inch Clutha, which must be regarded as a pretty heavy, as well as " plucky " undertaking. The proposed assistance by the neighbours will be as fully appreciated as it has been well merited, and we have no doubt there will be a -very large turn-out of Clutha teams on, Thui sday next. In last issue we published in the report of the proceedings of the Waste Land Board a memo by the Chief Surveyor, regarding run No. 48. The matter was considered at the meeting of the Board on Wednesday last, when the following resolution was recorded :— " Resolved, subject to the approval of the Governor, that it is not expedient to lease again for depasturing purposes the whole or any portion of Run 48, -and that notice of such resolution be served on the lessee of the said run/ We learn that Mr Joseph Robertson has just purchased from Mr Reginald Macdonald, Kaitangata, the mansion house and estate of Gask. While'allwiU be glad to know that MiRobertson has experienced such prosperity as to enable him to retire to such a residence, his departure from Balclutha will be regretted by all. It would be difficult to mention a single public movement in connection with the township in which he has not taken a leading part. He is a member of Committee of the Agricultural Society, Horticultural Society, the River Bank Protection Societv, the Athenseum, also a member of the School Committee and the Building Society, and in these and every other similar body, he is one of the most active members. At election times he is indefatigable in his exertions to secure the return of his man, and yet he steers clear of all cliques and makes no enemies. When public meetings are necessary, he arranges fo them. At soirees and similar entertainments he cheerfully undertakes the burden of the work of preparation. Amongst the Volunteers 'he was a zealous member, and greatly exerted himself in the formation ot a band which afterwards was allowed to drop. He is also an office-bearer in the Presbyterian congregation, and has done good service in .connection with providing for .a new; church. Altogether Mr Robertson is just the man to be missed in Balclutha. The only com Eolation is, that there is much room for such a man at Kaitangata, where we have no doubt his character and active habits be fully -appreciated,

Mr P. M-Gill's tramway from Iris Tokomairiro mill to the railway: lino is now in full working order, and is fouiid to be a very great convenience. We learn that several cases of scarlatina have. occurred in the Riverton district—one case having proved fatal, that of a fine^ lad, son of Mr M'Lean, of Flint's Bush. ; The -weather has been remarkably severe in the Mataura district during 1 the last week. .There were a few very heavy showers of hail and sleet, leaving the tops of the hills quite white. The Inch Clutha new church will be cpened on Sabbath first, when Professor Salmon rl will officiate morning and evening. A congregational soireo to celebrate the event will be held on Tuesday evening. The lignite which is* being sold at Mataura Bridge at 6s and 7s per ton is being sold in Invercargill at £1 per ton; and at Edendale railway station, ten miles from the Bridge, the price is 14s per ton. At a meeting of the Auckland Presbytery on Wednesday, the Rev. Mr Hill, of the Thames, signified his iutention of accepting the call from Lyttelton. A resolution was passed loosing Mr Hill from his preseut charge. Amongst the changes taking place in Milton we may mention the sale of Mr J. Anderson's Grocery business to Mr A. Solomon, a very straightforward, energetic business man, who is boiuad to succeed in the City of the Plain. At a meeting of the Tapanui School Committee on Saturday night,' plans were submitted for additions to the school. . These, along with an application' for addition to the teacher's residence, were forwarded to the Education Board for approval. „ . The tidal wave of Friday last was felt, among other places, at Catlins and. the Owake. Wave succeeded wave for some time during the forenoon, at intervals of about twenty minutes. They rose to such a height as to awaken some anxiety as to the safety of several of the houses. The Wyndham saw-mill lease being run out, it has not been renewed, and .the timber cutting is stopped, owing to the low price ruling. There is a good demand in the Wyndham district, but it can be obtained so cheaply from Invercargill that competition will not allow of any further reduction ; so Messrs Hall and Pollock find they are forced to give up cutting. A cock pheasant was seen a few days ago in the Mokerita, Wyndham, — the first that has been seen so far up. There was a male bird seen frequently some time ago in the Wy n< lham valley. The one seen by a Mokerita settler seemed to come from that quarter. Partridges have been frequently seen and heard, but skylarks, starlings, linnets, etc.. are unknown in any part of the Mataura, which is splendidly suited for them. An unusually important displenishing sale will be held at Messrs M 'Donald Brothers', Inch Clutha, to-day. It is well known that Messrs M" Donald have for years past been making an effort to improve the breed of their stock, and that they, now possess some of the purest bred animals, both horses and cattle, to be found in the Province. At our annual shows they have long held first places. The implements; and everything upon the farm, are in first-class order. Those wishing to import new blood amongst their stock, or to secure really good agricultural implements, will have an opportunity of gratifying their desires at the sale to-day. "We were the other day shown a very substantial and handsome dog-cart, the whole wood work and upholstery woi*k of which has been made in spare hours by an amateur, Mr Begg, iof Glenomaru. The wood used was all native-grown, having been procured chiefly from the Warepa bush. While an expert might no doubt find some faults with the construction, it undoubtedly is a very good, strong, serviceable, and even handsome machine. The wheels were built by Messrs Galloway and Drennan, and the paintiDg executed by Messrs Mitchell, Balclutha, and we must say the turn-out is a credit to all concerned. On the panels the escutcheon of the Begg family is prominently displayed — a treble cross with the motto ' ' Haud semper sub umbra." A very narrow escape from a serious fire occurred at Narrowdale, Tokomairiro, on Friday night. It appears Mr and Mrs Moses had gone to Milton that evening, leaving the children and a man-servant at home. The children sleep upstairs, a girl five years of age in one room, and two boys, one eleven and the other thirteen years of age, in the other. The girl had taken a candle to her bedroom when going to bed, and setting it too near to the wall, the paper caught fire. She apparently had not sense enough to give an alarm, but seeing something wrong went into the other room to pass the night with the boys. Shortly afterwards the boys heard a crackling noise, and going to ascertain the cause, discovered the fire, which by that time had got over a great part of the side wall and the ceiling. With extraordinary presence of mind for children of their age, they at once proceeded to put it out. They dipped the bedroom towel into the ewer of water, and strange to say they succeeded in their efforts and saved the building. The house was partially insured, but not the furniture. These boys deserve a medal from the Insurance office. The "following reached us too late for last issue :— The Star of Milton Lodge, No. 110, 1.0. G.T., held its usual meeting on Thursday evening, 3rd inst. After the usual business was got through, Bro. David Gilbert, L.D., installed the officers for the ensuing quarter, viz..:— Bro William Connor, W.C.T.; Bro. Mark H. Ayre, W.V.T.; Bro. Peter M'lnnes, W.S.; Bro, Richard Humphrey, W.F.S.; Bro. David 'Chalmers, W.T.- Brb.OamesWyber, W.C.; Bro. Benjamin Beeby, W.M.; Bro. William Lockhead, W.1.G.; Bro. Patrick Welsh, W.0.G.; Sis. M. Gilbert, W.R.H.S.; Sis. Humphrey/ W.L H.S.; Bro. T. Connor, W.A.S;; Bro. Archibald Gray, W.D.M.; Bro. Robert Russell, P. W.C.T After the installation ceremony, Bro. Wm. Connor, W.C.T. .ect, .thanked the members present for the nonour conferred on him in electing him their chief. A hearty vote of thanks to the installing officers was carried unanimously. Bro. D, filbert, L.D., suitably replied. Bro. R. Russell, P. W.C.T., responded to a .hearty vote, of thanks, which was passed to the retiring officers. This concluding the Lodge business for the evening, a half-hour was devoted to harmony, when two visiting brothers from the Crystal Fountain Lodge favoured the ihembers present by singing two songs. After some of the' other Brotherpresent had volunteered' to contribute to the evening's atriusernenti ihe Lodge wis duly closed at, half -past nine.

The opening 'of tlie "Wyndham school 'will 'be celebrated by a ball and .soiree; on the 24th inst.--" ' '' ' ■ '-A'A A The road to Catlins is now in a frightful state. The two contracts-'. for 'repairs -j are progressing favourably. ' ; „. _ : , ' Messrs . Cusliine aftd Walker ; having 'finished threshing in the Mokerita, for some time, Mr Cushine has given a supper and ball to celebrate the event. , „ ' . A petition against a severance from, the Tuapeka County, and a union with the proposed Tapanui County, is being signed iri the James, Teviot, and Beaumont Ridings'. The Southland County Council ; have voted £300 for the improvement, of roads in the outlying parts of the Wyndham Riding. It is ' very much needed in some parts for putting over . culverts and making cuttings. The _T.Z. and A.L. Co., Edendale, have reduced their price for contract ploughing .verymuch this season. They are giving about two. shillings per acre less than can be obtained on ! other . stations where contractors have equal facilities for doing as much .work. Mr Poynter, Chairman of the Tuapeka County Council, having gone to Tasmania,- the Tuapeka Times urges that residence in or hear Lawrence should be a sine qua non in considering' the appointment of a successor.' Our contemporary recommends Mr J. C. Brown for the office. We believe he has pointed out the best man. Prom a private letter Aye learn that the tidal wave, of Friday was marked at Riverton, where the water rose 8 feet. The disturbance ; continued from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The steamer Express still lays at the bottom of the harbour, all attempts to raise her having failed. It is feared that the action of the tidal wave will now render the work of lifting her hopeless. . At the meeting of the Waste Lands Bonrd on Wednesday, Mr Daivid M'J_ellar t en , behalf of Mr Thomas Green, requested that the survey" ot the township of Waipahi might be hastened, with a view of his purchasing a hotel site ; or that permission might be granted to him to erect a hotel previous to survey. — It was resolved that the Chief ' Surveyor be requested to have the survey completed. , We publish to-day the programme of the forthcoming Church of England concert to be held on Wednesday week, May 30, in Lloyd's Hall, Balclutha., A musical treat of no mean order seems to be in store for us, and doubtless a crowded house will reward the exertions of the promoters. The previous concerts given by this body in Balclutha have been successful in every , sense of the word, and there seems little reason • to fear any falling off in tne present one. We note that several voices new in the district are included in the programme. Although property transactions have not been numerous in Balclutha of late, there have been sufficient to indicate that houses and sec-'* tions continue to maintain their value. There , have - also been- sufficient to show that faith in the future progress of the township has not been shaken by the many changes that are taking place around us. One transaction of some public interest we may mention, -the sale by Mr Joseph Robertson of his bouse iv Charlotte-street to Miss Bannerman. The house is undoubtedly the best in Balclutha. It contains nine rooms, is built of wood and plastered, and ;'s being finished in a most substantial and elegant manuer. There is a large and f ully stacked garden, stables, &c, attached. Miss Bannerman intends to use it for her girls' seminary and boarding sclwol for which the building and its surroundings are admirably suited. It is gratifying to know that Miss Bannerman has received an amount of support amongst us that warrants and necessitates so ■ large an outlay and so extensive accommodation. A Kaihiku correspondent writes : — The weather in this district has been unusually stormy during the past week. Fortunately th c thrashing was finished before the break in the weather, . which was fortunate for the farmers, as it allows, them time to get their grain to market and things tidied up about the farm before the winter sets in. . The crops, with few exceptions, especially wheat, have not thrashed out to expectations. No doubt the drought in the spring, followed by an excessive rainfall during the summer, has had' the effect of causing the depreciation in the yield.— The district roads are getting on their usual winter's covering of mud, but owing to all the worst parts having been rounded off so as to allow the water to escape freely, I do not think they will be so bad as in former years. A portion of the road running into the main road between the Bridges, has also received a coat of metal, which it much needed. It is a great pity the power of dealing "with the main road had not been handed over to, the Road Board earlier in the year. Indeed, with the exception of the portions of the road which the . Board, in order to make the most of the favourable weather, undei - took to put into repair at once by day labour, little more can be expected to be done at this late time of the season. The various contracts entered into for formation, metalling, &c, between Kaihiku and Clinton will now, I am afraid, have to stand over till next summer for completion. The Cromwellmunicipal authorities seem for some time past to have' had great difficulties to contend with iri the matter of their manure' depot. These difficulties have at last been surmounted. At last meeting of the Council the Mayor,- on behalf bf the Works Committee, suggested— (we quote from the Argus report)— " That the road to the Kawarau River running through Block IX. be iriade fit foi* the dayman's cart to travel, and the rubbish be deposited right •into the river, which, at this point, was deep, with a rapid current. Councillors Arndt, Talboys, and himself had inspected the ground, and strongly recommended the proposed plan beiug adopted.— Couucillor Arndt endorsed the Mayor's remarks, and urged that the work should be gone , on with at once. Not only, would it be a saving of funds, but it would avoid what he wa3 certain would haye turned out to be a public nuisance. — Councillor Brown proposed— 'That the Works Committee, with Councillor Arndt, ' be" empowered'to expend a sum of not more -than £10 ! in making the road referred to available for ; wheeled traffic, with a view to carrying out. the ' report.of the Mayor.'— Seconded by Councillor Talboys,; and -carried.'" This, is .a- novel mode of getting rid of a public, nuisance, and ,it certainly * is strange that it never^dccirred to His ;Woi*ship ; and Councillors of Cromwell thai; .those. . who draw their supplies, of water 'from the nver.be-; tween Cromwell and the ocean^' might object to have it mixed up with the" night soil 'arid otherfilth of"' their township: .A? .more 1 shameless aridfilthy act has nev'erbee'n attempted by any publie 1 body in the .Colony,

'„.'. .A briclc buildiiig r in course of/construction at- -Roxburgh.- was blown down by the hurricane on- the night'ofthe Bth inst. / A Wellington telegram :. says :— The rock. , along' the bea'ch'is slipping, after the late rains, and is. injuring. a. couple of hotels ih Willis-street. More slipsare. imminent.