The Clutha Leader. BALCLUTHA: FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1894.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXI, Issue 1041, 6 July 1894, Page 4

The Clutha Leader. BALCLUTHA: FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1894.

A FORTNIGHT ago we published an extract from the pamphlet on Arbor Day issued by the Agricultural Department. We notice that throughout the colony various local bodies have already taken the matter up, and have their arrangements well advanced for the due observance of the. day. The time is now very short as the Government have this year fixed on Wednesday the Ist of August as Arbor Day. So far, we haven't heard of anything being done by the local bodies of the Olutha, and we therefore call their special at tention to the matter in the hope that they will at once bestir themselves so as to have an Arbor demonstration which will be worthy of the occasion and a credit to the district. Now that the Government have taken up the matter so heartily — for which they are deserving of great credit — there can ha no doubt that Arbor Day will be a very prominent institution in the country, and one that will be of lasting' benefit to the community. It therefore befits our local bodies to take immediate action, and we would recommend all and sundry to bear in mind the Laird of Dumbiedyke's well-known advice to his son to "he aye puttin' in a. tree ; it will be aye growin' while . you're sleepin'." We have no doubt that were the mayor and the chairman of the

school committee to lay there heads together, they could soon procure an energetic committee to carry out the demonstration with great eclat. We also hope to see every school committee throughout the country taking the matter up at once.

4 Tuapeka election on Monday. Contest keen and result promises to be close. Dr Fitchett has been requested by the Government to go to Wellington to assist them while Solicitor-GeDeral Reid is ill. The Blind "Students, considering the insufficient publicity and the wretched weather, had a fair house in M'Kenzie's Hall last night. Fresh applications are-beinsr called for the headhiastership of the Balclutha High School at a salary of L 347 per annum. The Stirling bachelors* annual ball, which was held last Friday evening, was, notwithstanding the unpropitious weather, a most enjoyable and successful affair. Whnnpintj cough has been very prevalent in the Waitapeka district lately. Most of the children have been attacked by the epidemic, which has been rather severe. There have also been a few cases amongst adults. Mr Duff, blacksmith here, writes us to say that a report is current throughout the township and country that his family are all lnM up with diphtheria. As the report is injuriously affecting his business, Mr Duff asks us to explain that the report is absolutely without foundation, as none of his family ever had diphtheria. The Dunedin Presbytery on Wednes--day adopted, by 15 to 6 votes, an overture to the Synod to the effect that the opinion and practice of the church in the JSTorth regarding marriage with a deceased wife's sister being at variance with the practice here is at present an insuperable barrier to the consummation, of the union ; that the Synod should take the premises into consideration and remove the said barrier as the Synod in its wisdom may deem most conducive to the welfare of the church. A member of the Hnuse of Representatives was found iv the water at the railway wh;irf Wellington on Sunday morning. His name is not given, but the New Zealand Times says he is a burly member, who h.iils from the western portion of the South Island. He had evidently fallen over the wharf, when his cries attracted the nighfc watchman, who, with tho assistance of one of the crew of the Thurso, rescued him. He refused to give his name, but he was wearing his gold railway pass, which, divulged his identity. There is a silver lining r.o every cloud, and in our present depressed times formers will note with great sa'isfiiction that in tho American Senate Senator Sherman's amendment to tho tariff for a 30 per cdnfc duty on raw wool was defeated by 37 to 32. Wool therefore rts-nains free, and lho tariff will come into operation on August 1. The bill was read a third time by 39 to 34. The bill has therefore passed the Senate. By yesterday's cablegrams we also observe that the present wool rates are very spirited and that prices have advanced quite 5 perc3nt. Tho Clntha Literary Society has been in full swing for some time, and has nearly reached the half of its snason. One evening was devoted to " Burns' life and works," at which MrR. Christie-presided, and which proved a great sucoeas ; a number of the members gave essays j readings, and recitations. At the last meeting there w;is a good attendance, Mr J. Stewart being elected chairman. There was miscellaneous speaking on various subject) amongst which " Gambling and Novels " created a great deal of interesting and anirnited discussion, recitations were also gtvan by Miss Porteous and Mr Henderson, and a realing by fltr Ledingham. The annual entertainment in connection with St. Mark's Church, Balcluthii, ta-'ces place in M'Kenssie's Hall on Wednesday evening next. We understand tha*-, in addition io srma of the leading lady and gentlemen singers who have promised to give their sarvic3<;, Mrs Gibson Smith and Mrs Do.ld, ably assisted by Misse3 Dodd and R'Neil, have been training some ten children for several weeks past in the bam dance, the highland fling, etc., and from the way in which they go through their part of the performance we feel sure thair parents and friei'ls will be highly delighted with them. Tableaux and charades will n,lao be included in the programme. Altogether a pleasant evening's entertainment is in store for those who purposo being present. A serious accident occurred at Clarksville on Monday night, when the passenger train from Dunedin ran into the goods train from tho south, which was then shunting at. the station. These trains always pass at Clarksville, and as the night was very dark and misty it is supposed the lights had been mistaken. As the passenger train was to stop at the station tho speed hsi been reduced, but still the concussion was a severe one. The engine of the passenger train somehow lifted the other until it was up-ended and rested on the first while six of the goods trucks were derailed. Of course the passengers were greatly alarmed, but fortunately no one was hurt except the driver of the down train, who got a slight cufc on the face. A special train was sent from Baiclutha to bring on the passengers. A gang of men was at once put on to clear the line, which was accomplished by morning, and the trains proceeded to their destination, and all other traffic was reaumed as usual. There will be a departmental inquiry into the cause of the accident. Our Kaitangata coi-responde'nfc writes : —We are pretty well supplied in the way of amusement just now. On Thursday evening last week a very successful concert was given to a crowded house by the School Committee, Mr W. M. Shore occupying the chair. The first part of the programme was contributed by the school children and their efforts were very heartily appreciated by the large audience ; the performance of the infant division being specially applauded. The second part consisted of toca and instrumental items by our local amateurs, and also proved very enjoyable. The orchestral society payed " Shamrock Leaves " and " Jaco« bite airs." The other items were —"The children's borne," Miss Bailey ; " Memories Dear," Mrs C. Nicholson; " Willie Laud the bairn," Mr W. Brown ; Quartette, " Will ye no como back again," Misses Mackie and Nicholson and Messrs Aitchison and JRoseveare; "Killarney," Miss Mansfield ; Tin whistle performance, Mr .Nott; and a solo by Miss M'Kinnon. —Then on Wednesday evening we had the Blind Students' Musical Company in the Masonic Hall.