The Clutha Leader. BALCLUTHA: FRIDAY, MAY 11, 1894.

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1033, 11 May 1894, Page 1

The Clutha Leader. BALCLUTHA: FRIDAY, MAY 11, 1894.

Much dissatisfaction is at present felt with the l,ow prices now ruling in the colonial markets for . mutton, and speculation is indulged in as to the cause of the depression. 'It is certain that this depression is not due to the prices now ruling for frozen mutton in the London markets. The Daily Times London correspondent, writing on March 20, says :—•' New Zealand mutton has been in very short supply lately, and prices have been exceedingly high, touching even s£, while 5d was given for anything decent," Messrs Nelson Bros.' report for the same month compares the prices then ruling with those current for the same month of last year as follows ; —

It thus appears that in March last tin prices in the London market were from |d to Id per lh higher than in the same period of 1893. We think the true cause of the present depression is to be attributed to the fact that last year shippers in the South Island chartered a large amount of space, to fill up which -they competed with one another in fat sheep and ran them up to high prices, with the result that they lost heavily. Partly on this account, and partly no doubt with the object of reducing the values of sheep with a view to future shipments, shippers have this year refrained from operating to any extent, and have allowed the space to be filled up elsewhere. Those, however, who have secured space and have purchased at present prices will doubtless do well, and more than recoup themselves for last year's losses. It is much to bo regretted that these extreme fluctua^ tions should occur, but we believe that as the trade becomes better developed a steady market will be established in the Colony at prices in accordance with those ruling in the Home markets. We think the prospects of sheep farmers are good, for, while we may expect keen competition from the Australian colonies, the temperate climate of New Zealand will always enable graziers to produce a better quality of mutton than they can do on the other side. The trade also is rapidly extending over Europe, and there is the near prospect of the duty being taken off wool imported into America. Altogether there seems every reason to believe the present depression in wool and mutton is only temporary, and that in a very brief period much better prices will prevail.

A shock of earthquake was felt here at abont sevea miontes past 10 o'clock on Moade.y moroing. Doora and windows rattler], and suspended articles were seen to swin? to and fro. The shook was also feH ab Dunedin, Invercfirgill, etc. . Mr James Bremner has just added a third shop to his block of buildiags in Clyde street. The site is a central one, and in many respects is the best business situation in Bnl, clufcha .it the p'-esent time. The block baa been very nicely finished, and has a very compact and substantial appearance. At the conclusion of the case Gunn v. Robertson on Wednesday Mr Hawkins, S.M"., recalled the defendant and questioned him as to his opinion on the peculiar behaviour of the plaintiff Gunn while. in his employ. His Worship said the jre^.son he was asking this was becu.se be bad no doubt that plaintiff had committed wilful and deliberate pevjury, and | were he convinced that plaintiff was right mentally he would have no hesitation in committing him for trial. Ordering Gunn to stand up His Worship said he hoped he wcm'.d take a lesson from what he had said. He thought it was perfectly clear that plaintiff had beeu coerced into the present proceedings, and that he was hardly responsible for what he had said in the witness box. His Worship said that he was determined that when he bar] clear proof of perjury as he had in this case, he would instantly commit the persons implicated for trial. He did not care what juries and grand juries might do : he had a duty to perform and ho would do ic. The ranks of the early settlers of Ofcago were yet further reduced this week by the death of Mr John Ourrie, who has been a resident of LoveHs, Flat for over 30 years. Mr Ourrie was a sliephcrrl in Uie Homo Country, and was looked upon as an authority in everything connected with sheep. He was much in'reqnest by his neighbours for cutting and tailing lamb3, and for shearing the sheep and working amongst them in the shearing season. John was a native of the Scottish boarders, and liko many old men of his class he was fond of speaking about old Scottish plans and customs. -He was a keen fisher, and spent a great part of his time fishing \n tbc Tuakitoto lake in the season. It was he that brought from Dunedin and put into the lake the first and only perch, that were ever put into it. These few perch have so increased tKat the whole lake and the streams flowing into ib and tho Kaitangata lake as well are now swarming with perch. John had a small past-oral farm of from 200 to 3C3 acres in Lovells Flat. He lived by himself, and like most persons, who live all alone, he is sup'posed to have been too indifferent as to making proper food for himself. At all events it was generally understood a few months ago that he had cancer, and would not live very long' Very great regret was expressed in the Flat; when this besatns komvu. A few weeks ago he went to Dunedin to be near medical skill- Fortunately he had a sister residiog. there; and at his sister's house" he died on Sunday last. His death came on the Flat with a great shock, for though it was known John would not live long no one thought that the. en I was so ne »v at hand, . ", • .- . : ?

The sacrament of the Lord' Supper will be dispensed at Hillend and Lovella Flat on Sunday first at the usual hoars. Dr "Smith has now recovered from the effect* of his re-cent accident and has ag.iin resumed practise. The University Council of Melbourne has adopted a report recommending the establishment of a conservatoire of music on similar lines to those in Germany and France. A soiree to celebrate the opening of the new church at Wangaloa will He held in the church on Monday evening at 7 o'clock. There will be several addresses, capital music, etc. The sal? at Mr Gen. Thomson's premises'will be held on Wertoelay and Thursday the 6th and 9th, instead of Tuesday and Wed. nesday as advertised last week. The Hugo Enterprise Minstrels were accorded a gocd house in M'Kenzie's Hall on Wednesday evening. As was to be expected Charles Hugo was the life of the show, but some of the other members showed considerable merit. The company appear at Kaitangata on Friday evening next week. The Tnvereargiil police yesterday received a telegram stating that Kelly, one of the missing West Coast prospectors, wa3 found'alive, but in an exhausted state, yesterday, ten miles West of the VVaiau mouth. Evans, the other member of the party was drowned while crossing the Wairaurahiri River several days ago. Mr M'Kenzie, patentee and manufacturer ofj patent cloth es| restorer and furniture polish, is now in this loci'ity appointing re^ai' agents, etc. We direct attention to his advertisement in another column. Mr M'Kenzio produces some excellent testimonials in favour of his manufactures, aud from personal observation we are fully justified in saying that they are all he claims them to be. We remind our readers of the opening meeting of the Bnlclutha Literary Society to be held in M'Kenzie's Hall at 8 o'clock this evenms, when Dr Fleming will deliver an ambulance lecture. The second meeting of the society will be held next Wednesday for which a good musical programme is being arranged. We understand that on this occasion the hall will be lighted for the first time by gas. Several informations for failing to take proper steps to destroy rabbits were heard at the S.M. Court, Lawrence, on Monday, Mr In- | spector Hull being the prosecutor. In. one I case a fine of L5 and costs was inflicted. In a number of other cases the informations were withdrawn, defendmts having taken efficient j steps subsequent to the service of the summons they also pitying costs.^ Desperate Bargains. — Dunedin Cash i Drapery Co. are now open in G.iwn's buildings, j Balclutha, with a large as. ortment of drnpeity j »nd clothing. Dress goods from 4.3d, 7gd. Donble length Amazon?, whipcord?, tweed?, j cashmere, velveteens exceptional v.ilue. Ladies' and children's jackets, specially reduce:! ulsters Gs lid, Trillings 2il per yard. Colonial blankets j only 14s 9d : flannelettes 3£il ; flannels, calicoes, ; sheetings at exceptional prices. Heav? tweeds ' for suits, Is lid. — [ADVT.] Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H.R., will deliver j a lecture|desciiptive of his travels and explorations in different parts of New Zealand in the j Port Molyneux school on Monday evening the j 21st inst. Efforts are being made to protect the Wilsfcer Bay reserve, and conserve the natural beauty of the place, and the proceeds of the lecture will be devoted to this purpose. Mr Mackenzie delivers a similar lecture at Waipahi next Friday evening, the proceeds beinj devoted to a local object. Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H.R. , has received the following reply to his communication to the Government urging that steps should be taken to protect the natural beauty of the ; Wilsher Bay property, and suggesting that the i local control of same be vested in Mr William Hay:— "Re Wilsher's claim.— Thank you for ! information. I have requested the chairman of j county council to prevent injury by unauthorised persons, and to take all lawful steps to protect and preserve the property. — J. K. Warburton, Public Trustee, Wellington." I John Horscroft, cook at the railway camp, Hunt's road, Owaka, met with rather a serious accident on Tuesday last through a tree i falling on him. Fortunately the accident was noticed, and the woikmen were at once called ; and released him, and carried him to the camp. Mr Inspector JKirker did all he could for the i sufferer, and medical aid having been summoned by telephone it was found Horscroft had sustain' d severe bruises on the shoulder besides Borne internal injuries, .but it is not anticipated \ that any serious consequences will result. Referring to Mr Wilson's letter in last week's issue regarding the pork industry,and the interest the same has excited throughout the district, we give the following extract from the Daily Times London correspondent : — Some interest is be:ng excited by the experiment now beiDg tried of shipping New Zealand bacon to the English market. The Rimutaki's shipment haa been recently taken up at 50a per cwt. Tlie quality of the bacon was con&idered t: very good," and it is stated to have given " entire satisfaction." Referring to the importation, the Grocer, the chief organ of the provision trade, proununces the attempt as fcuccessful, and predicts an extension of the trade. A seiious case of burglary occured in Dunedin on Monday. Mrs Knox's Universal Hotel in Maclaggan street was entered some time during the morning, presumably between three o'clock and four o'clock, and a heavy iron safe was carried away bodily from the building. Entrance was affected by means of the cellar door on the street, which had been left unlocked, and when in the cellar the burglers had simply to raise a trap-door to gain admittance to the bar room, where the safe was located. When the occupants of the house arose on Tuesday morning they at once discovered the burglary, and the police were informed of the matter. Inquiries were made by the detectives, with the result that in a few hours they had obtained evidence which they considered justified them in arresting three men. Two of them were in bed at different places at the time, and the third was in the street. The safe was found in Jubilee Park, with its bottom plate broken away, and its contents missing. These consisted of watches, rings, other articles of jewelery, a large number of threepenny pieces, and other money, the total value beiDg L25. At the Police Court Kime day the three men, William Kennedy, Michael Kelly, and .James Blue were charged with the bnrglary and remanded till to-day. iLi

Replying to a deputation at Oamaru with reference to the unemployed the Minister of Linds said that the deputation, knowing all the circumstances, mieht think that Oamaru was the worst place in New Zealand, but he assured them that thore was great distress all over, and especially in the towns along the coast from Dunwlin to Christclmrch, nnd h9 had hoard the same story aud the same cry in Timaru and in Christcliurch. He did not think the large estate own«-rs wore s.iokinq their hands to harass the Government. Ciopping was not paying, and that was more likely to be the reason ; aud these men were not going to put in .any crop, consequently did not want men. The question for the Government to consider was how far th r y could go on assisting the men. They would assist them on to works that would help to open up the country for settlement, but that relief works would be started to provide employment was out of the question.

March 1894. March 1593. Per lb. Per Ih. N.Z. (best) .. sd. .. %1. 4W. „ (second) .. 4fd. 4£d. .. 3gd. __. „ (ewes) . .4|d. 4§d. .. 3gd. 3id. „ (lamb) ..6Jd. Gfd. .. s|d. 6|d.