Untitled

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1036, 8 June 1894, Page 5

The Rev. L. M. Isitt is conducting a series of direct veto meetings in Melbourne. The committee for the Clutha Licensing district will meet at noon to-day, in the Courthouse here. It is reported that a valuable discovery of asbestos has been made about 10 miles from Arrowtown. Mr 0. M. Orombie, Commissioner of Taxes, died at Wellington on Wednesday afternoon of typhoid fever. The town clerk will to-day issue summonses against every person who is indeb'.ed to the Borough. These are about 20 in all and the amounts total about L7O. The express train from Invercargill on Wednesday afternoon was an hour late in passing here. It was one of the heaviest trains that have ever passed along the line, and was drawn by two engines". On reaching Dunedin it consisted of 52 carriages, carrying about 1000 passengers. The morning train from here yesterday morning was also a heavy one, a considerable number of the people of Balclutha and district taking advantage of Abe reduced fares to enjoy a tiip to Dunedin.' The new pound-keeper and ranger, Mr Reddie, is evidently not disposed to let the grass grow under his feet. One of the horses impounded by him yesterday morning belonged to no less a person than the borough official who signed his appointment, and strange to say it was some considerable time before any owner was found for the horse. Tho ranger in his capacity as inspector of nuisances might also do well to turn his attention to several in itters in that connection. According to arrangement the Boroughs of Balclutha and Tapanui acting conjointly for the diffe p ent local authorities in the Clutha Licensing district have obtained the opinion of the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, M.L C, as to their liability for the costs of election. This is to the effect that fees accruing rofe.' to fees for licenses to be issued, and that if no licenses are granted there will be no fees accruring, and as a consequence local bodi> s other than the local authority have no funds out of which th-jy cin legally pay the costs of the election. The new street and railway crossing leading to the river bank road will be opened for traffic on Monday. This work has been carried On by the railway authorities in lieu of the present crossing which will be closed and the Bpace used for additional accommodation in the Btation yard. The new road will be a great improvement on the old one in many ways, besides being much more safe for horse traffic especially. The railway authorities have we understand considerable improvements, or at any rate alterations, in contemplation in connection with the railway yard here. Mr W. Coghlan, who has purchased Mr A. W. Geddes's interest in the Clinton Railway Refreshment Rooms, has now made a fair start. On Wednesday evening of last week Mr Geddes was presented with an illuminated address, and a purse of sovereigns by the railway guards along the line,' likewise a very handsome liqueur stand, subscribed by his numerous friends in Clinton. He was also entertained at a supper in the refreshment rooms, when there was a good number of gentlemen present. Mr Gedde3 has settled down on his farm at Catlins River, where he carries with him the best wishes of his numerous Clinton friends. The Balclutha Literary Society met in Mackenzie's Hall on Wednesday evening, Mr W. Cargill, vice-president in the chair. The Rev. Mr Dutton of Caversham delivered a lecture on "The Snn,"gwith illustrative diagrams. The lecturo which was delivered in a very popular style conveyed a large amount of interesting information regarding that luminary— its distance from the earth and other planets, its orbit through space, size, atmosphere, wonderful spots, etc. Next Wednesday evening will be devoted to a debate " Is the Land and Income Tax desirable," Mr Thornton leading off in the affirmative and Mr Mackenzie M.H.R. in the negative. The Winter Show nnder the auspices of the Otago A. and*P. Society was opened in the Garrison Hall yesterday, and was a distinct success. There wa& an excellent show of root crops— the Maniototo district easily taking the palm in this respect. Prominent amongst the dairy exhibits was a monster cheese from the "Wyndham Dairy Factory weighing 11501bs. This cheese was cut tip and sold in shilling lots, buyers having a chance of finding gold or silver coin in their pieces, some LlO worth having been distributed among the cheese. Mesars A. and J. M'Farlane had an excellent collection of produce of all kinds on exhibition. Messrs Nimmo and Blair were also well represented. The show of eereals was also up to the mark, as also was the show of grass seeds, clovers, etc. Of the local exhibitors Mr J. Crawford Anderson, was awarded second in Swede Turnips and Mr G. H. Gilroy third. The Garrison Hall was crowded all day, and there was a tremendous crowd of pwple in the city,

At the meeting of the Land Board on Wednesday,* the Chief Surveyor reported that a good seam «f lignite had been found upon section 16, block Xl"v",*Pomahaka, and recommended that the section be withdrawn from sale.— The question was referred to the surveyor gen< ral for consideration, and to say whether it was deemed advisable to make any further co;il reserves.